Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

National Rugby League Forced To Backflip On Plans To Increase Integrity Unit Powers

The National Rugby League "has been forced into an embarrassing backflip over plans to allow its integrity unit to confiscate mobile phones after outraged players complained about the governing body's new 'police' powers," according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Manly players Brett Stewart and Willie Mason "led the outcry after the governing body proposed sweeping new powers in future investigations of players and clubs." Under proposed new rule 48, the integrity unit "was given the power to 'take possession of or copy computer data (including that stored on smart phones).'" After a "stinging rebuke from its constituents," including the Rugby League Players' Association, the NRL "clarified its position on Tuesday afternoon via a media release, stating it did not intend to confiscate mobile phones as part of its investigations." While they may now not physically lose their handsets, the NRL "can ask players to provide anything stored on them." Should players refuse, they "can be hit with sanctions, most likely a fine." However that "could be more palatable than allowing officials to scrutinise some of their private communications" (SMH, 3/4). In Sydney, Christian Nicolussi reported unlike racing stewards, the NRL integrity unit "doesn't have the power to subpoena phone records if a player refuses to cooperate." An NRL spokesperson said, "If a player is up on an harassment charge, we’d need to prove someone was calling that person all the time. Or if a lewd photo was sent, we could ask a player to provide the SMS they had sent out. We don’t need the phone, we’re just requiring the data." Rugby League PA President David Garnsey said that "he had held conversations with the NRL about their investigative powers last year, but not once had the issue of seizing phones or computers been discussed" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 3/3).

PRETTY IN PINK: In Sydney, Brad Walter reported the senior referee in each game this season "will have a soccer-style armband to signify he is the man in charge, but the days of NRL match officials wearing pink jerseys have gone as it is believed the uniform made it more difficult for the officials to be taken seriously." In a bid "to make referees more accountable, one will be appointed as the leader of the team officiating at a match and he will wear an armband to make him easily identifiable." The uniforms worn by referees this season "will be blue or red" -- colors that the National Centre for Australian Studies lecturer Tom Heenan said "were more likely to encourage discipline" (SMH, 3/3).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2015/03/04/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NRL-Integrity-Unit.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2015/03/04/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NRL-Integrity-Unit.aspx

CLOSE