A handful of National Rugby League clubs, angered by the terms of a proposed new licensing agreement, are "expected to reject" the Australian Rugby League Commission’s offer "of a million-dollar olive branch in a move that threatens to drive a schism between some of the most powerful teams -- and individuals -- in the game," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. At least four clubs "are ready to spurn the commission’s offer, including the three who had reservations about signing the revised memorandum of understanding with the game’s governing body late last year." The Sydney Roosters, Canterbury and Penrith "signed the original MOU but declined to do so when the document was altered to include a clause which stated it was a 'binding agreement.'" Clubs "were locked in talks among themselves last night as they pondered their next move, which comes amid intense negotiations with the ARL Commission over the licensing agreements designed to guarantee their place in the premiership for perpetuity." The commission "had threatened to hold back the funding." However, in a show of faith, the ARL Commission on Tuesday night "agreed to provide" the first installment. Its decision to do so "was in part due to serious financial concerns at some clubs" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/7).
