NRL PULSE CHEQUE
Coast and NRL rivals receive $2.5m boost in time of need
IT could now be a September to remember.
Allaying fears of imminent financial collapse, NRL clubs claim they can survive another six months – just in time, they pray, for the footy to start.
A $2.5 million payment from the NRL to all 16 clubs yesterday has previously concerned clubs now hopeful – if not buoyant – about hanging on financially until September.
It appears the clubs are at least safe in the short term.
“It’s now a matter of holding on,” one NRL chief said.
“It’s about survival mode and then we pray to God we start playing footy in August or September.”
Gold Coast Titans CEO Steve Mitchell last week said he hoped his privately owned club’s frugal spending in recent years would in turn help them navigate this tricky time.
With prudent spending and continuing cost cuts, officials are adamant they can end fears several clubs may be pushed into insolvency.
The NRL’s $2.5 million gift covers the club’s monthly grant ($1.185 million) over four months minus player payments, about $900,000 a month.
“It’s the gap clubs now have to run the rest of their business,” another chief executive said.
Money will be spent carefully and economically, according to clubs.
“It gives us a $2.5 million buffer,” one club CEO said.
“If clubs are diligent and if they continue ways of stopping expense, whether that’s stopping services that are no longer required, trying to reduce costs, then the money can last, probably closer to six months.
“We are all hoping the money can last until the resumption of the season.
“Every club is different. Some have money in the bank. But we at least all know now what we are dealing with.
“We now know what we can go back to our boards and ask for.”
The boost comes from existing broadcast money and cash the NRL had in reserves.
One CEO said: “It’s a good result, all clubs are happy.”
NRL clubs are cautious and worried the money will run out if the football doesn’t start this year. One official said: “The money is there for now but if there isn’t any footy this season then things will get dire.”
THE Broncos have left the fate of their women’s team in the hands of the NRL as the governing body continues to discuss the immediate future of the NRLW competition.
The four-week season is typically played in September.
With the Roosters and Warriors, which make up half the NRLW competition, reportedly pulling the pin on their women’s sides as a cost-cutting measure, the women’s season is now on tenterhooks.
“As a club, we’ve always supported women’s rugby league and we will continue to do so,” a Broncos spokesman said.
“However, the short-term future of the competition and a decision on the NRLW is in the hands of the NRL and they will advise us on what happens next.”
The Broncos are not immune to the crippling coronavirus pandemic affecting all clubs across the NRL.
The club is through severe cost cuts and making staff redundant and is unlikely to be able to fund their women’s side in the current environment.
In previous seasons, each NRLW club has outlaid between $300,000 and $400,000 to field a team.
It is understood NRL hierarchy have also held off from issuing NRLW contracts for the upcoming 2020 season until there is more certainty around the game’s future.
Broncos NRLW coach Kelvin Wright said the lack of women’s sport, and sport in general, would delay the opportunity for young girls to get involved.
“It will make it hard for those girls transitioning into rugby league because there’s no sport for them to play,” Wright said. “But that’s happening with every sport.
“(A cancelled NRLW season) will just bring a halt to the momentum.”