National Rugby League Tells Clubs Attendance Numbers Will Improve Despite Concerns

The National Rugby League "is confident it is on track to improve on its crowd ­figures from last season despite growing concerns from clubs that there are scheduling problems," according to Stuart Honeysett of THE AUSTRALIAN. Those fears "have been exacerbated by the four Thursday night games locked into the lead-up to the finals." NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg said, "I wouldn’t say we’re worried; I think we’re on target to hit our ­objectives. We’re hoping crowds will be up. I don’t think the game has ever worked harder with the 16 clubs and the game itself to drive fan ­attendance for members and event fans." Sydney clubs "are so concerned about crowds" that a number of them met before the last CEOs’ conference. When they "voiced their concerns to the NRL, they were shown the broadcast deal for the first time in detail." A club official said that the contract was “unbelievably restrictive” and it gave the NRL very little room to maneuver with regards to scheduling (THE AUSTRALIAN, 8/5).