The "desperate plea" by National Rugby League clubs for more money -- and a future share of the game’s profits -- "has been laid bare by claims they stand to lose" more than A$40M ($28.2M) between them this season, according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN.
Once leagues club funding "is removed from the equation, the 16 sides will lose" an average of A$2.6M ($1.83M) apiece in '15 -- a "significant increase on last season."
Revelations of the funding shortfall in clubland "come as the club chairmen find themselves knee-deep in negotiations" with the Australian Rugby League Commission "over a range of matters, the most pressing relating to money."
The parties are due to meet again next week. While they are believed to be happy with the ARLC’s offer of an extra A$3M ($2.11M) over the next two seasons, they "want the money to come with no strings attached" -- there have been "suggestions it would be repayable if the clubs failed to sign new participation agreements."
The clubs also want a "guarantee" that the club grant from '18 will be 30% above the figure for total player payments, an NRL license in perpetuity, a legal review of the constitution governing the independent commission and a 30% slice of future profit.
While there is "sympathy in some quarters, there is also the recognition that a number of the clubs are their own worst enemy, spending beyond their means because they realise any shortfall will be met by cashed-up leagues clubs" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 11/10).
