The National Rugby League "will throw open its books to club powerbrokers on Thursday as they descend on Rugby League Central" for assurances they will "receive the funding they require to remain viable," according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The CEOs and chairs of the 16 clubs, as well as representatives of the NSW Rugby League and Queensland Rugby League, "will gather to discuss the most pressing issues facing the game." Chief among them is "the whole-of-game funding arrangement, with the final details to be presented at the landmark meeting." The NRL "had threatened to renege on its agreement to fund the clubs" to the tune of 130% of the salary cap due to a A$20M ($15.2M) "black hole in its cash flow." However, the governing body reportedly "applied for a credit facility" that will enable the clubs to get the A$13M ($9.89M) per year promised by Australian Rugby League Commission Chair John Grant last year. After "initially setting aside a whole work day" for the meeting, the NRL will attempt to "cram in a full agenda of discussion items in just three hours." While funding will be the "hottest topic," the head office also "vowed to provide a snapshot of its spending and revenue," including the financials for the first half of this year. Other agenda items include an update on the collective bargaining agreement negotiations, an outline of its A$150M ($114M) digital strategy, an update on plans to implement a cap on football department spending from next year and the "latest developments regarding constitutional reform" (SMH, 6/14).
