Former rugby league player and "wealthy Sydney businessman" Benny Elias called on the National Rugby League to "consider buying the struggling Channel Ten" for A$100M ($74.5M), according to Dean Ritchie of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Elias will reportedly "hold talks with influential NRL executives next week where he will push for the game’s independent commission to begin a feasibility study" into buying the "flagging" network. He said, "Ten needs rugby league -- I believe it would be an absolute lifesaver for them. This is a blue-chip sport and Channel Ten could attain the broadcast rights by purchasing the station." Elias said that the NRL "should have the necessary money for the sale and that matches would be shared" between Ten and Fox Sports. Some industry insiders think Elias' plan "has considerable merit," while others claim the NRL "would have little desire running a TV station." He said, "Here is a chance to own their own network -- an opportunity to buy an asset that I believe is very, very cheap. A A$51 million ($38M) investment would give rugby league the majority shareholding in Network Ten on today's market value. It would be the greatest investment this game has achieved." The NRL "preferred not to comment on Elias' comments" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 5/3).
