Some of the National Rugby League's "most powerful clubs have set aside their own concerns in the name of unity" -- and "the financial security of their rivals" -- by agreeing to accept the NRL’s "good faith offer of a million-dollar advance on the next broadcasting deal," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. It is understood club powerbrokers "reached an agreement during a telephone hook-up late on Wednesday night," ending the prospect that the NRL’s olive branch would "splinter the parties." Clubs began filing paperwork with the NRL on Thursday and the first payment of A$1.125M ($840,000) per club -- "which takes the form of a loan" until they can reach an accord with the Australian Rugby League Commission on licensing agreements -- will arrive in club bank accounts as early as Friday, "easing the pressure on several that are under financial strain." The commission "had originally planned to hold back the cash" pending the finalization of the licensing agreements. However, Melbourne Chair Bart Campbell, spokesperson for the clubs, confirmed an agreement had been reached after a meeting, "and it is understood all clubs will sign the binding documents." It is also understood all the clubs "will apply for the NRL’s million-dollar offer." Asked how long he expected it to take "to work through the differences" over the license agreements, which will guarantee each of the 16 clubs "a place in the premiership in perpetuity," Campbell said, "I think it is realistic to expect the long-form agreement should be able to be completed by the end of September. One man’s sanity is another man’s insanity. I would hate to dwell on how far apart we are." The speed of negotiations "is set to have an impact on the proposed sale of several clubs," including Newcastle, Gold Coast and St. George Illawarra (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/8).
