NRL Make History with Billion Dollar Deal

August 21, 2012

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), unhealthy who runs Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL), pharm has secured a US$1 billion, impotent five-year broadcasting deal with Channel Nine and Fox Sports.

The agreement comes after months of negotiating and is the largest in the history of the league.

The total worth of the deal is AU$1.025 billion (US$1.08 billion) and has been hailed by John Grant, ARLC chairman as “the greatest agreement in the history of the game.”

Grant added: “The whole package is a simply fantastic result for rugby league. The cash that comes from the agreement, used wisely, will provide the funding base for sustainably growing our game from the grass-roots to the elite levels.

“The agreement around scheduling answers the request from our clubs and corporate partners for certainty and the inclusion of national coverage will see our fans across Australia able to enjoy their rugby league.

“Of great importance, and a factor that played heavily into the commission’s final decision, is the release by News, Fox and Nine of their rights over future ‘first and last’ agreements. It reflects the positive spirit of the negotiation process and allows the game greater control in determining the value of its assets in the future.”

The new contract includes a cash and advertising components, with the cash worth AU$925 million (US$972 million) and the advertising packages worth AU$100 million (US$105 million).

Channel Nine will broadcast three weekly matches with Fox Sports airing five weekly games across Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Fox Sports chief executive Patrick Delany said: “This agreement secures a fabulous line-up of matches for Fox Sports subscribers. Super Saturday and Monday Night Football have become a way of life for rugby league fans and Fox Sports is determined to make that experience more exciting and more interactive than ever before.

“Rugby league is a part of Fox Sports and Foxtel’s DNA and we are delighted to be able to continue bringing the live action to households across Australia every week.”