Scott Morrison's blunt response to NRL's coronavirus plea

[Beaussie]

Gee, no insurance or assets outside of games themselves to produce income and little left in the NRL future fund it seems. Low priority for government assistance too.

Scott Morrison's blunt response to NRL's coronavirus plea
Sam GoodwinSports Editor
Yahoo Sport Australia

The Prime Minister has played down the possibility of a government bail-out for the NRL should the league be forced to shut down due to coronavirus.

The NRL will push for special consideration from the Australian government to test players for coronavirus while the game faces a “catastrophic” demise if it's forced to suspend the competition.

On Sunday the NRL confirmed it would forge ahead with the competition in round two in the interest of keeping the game alive financially despite the growing pandemic which has forced the shut down of other major sports.

Without insurance or assets to produce income outside of the games themselves, ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said the NRL would not take long to collapse if the season was suspended without financial assistance from the government.

However Scott Morrison issued a gloomy response when asked about V’landys’ plea on Monday.

“Obviously the NRL is not high on the list at the moment,” Morrison said.

Already the NRL has dipped into its 'distress fund' to the tune of $6.8 million, allocating $425,000 to each of the 16 clubs to assist with the financial pressure of closing games to fans from round two.

However, this is a meagre sum compared to the losses clubs are faced with from next weekend.

There were also suggestions the NRL could lower the competition's salary cap, effectively cutting the wage of players as part of the collective bargaining agreement with the Rugby League Players Association.

However, the RLPA has confirmed with AAP that the extraordinary measure would only be eligible to come into effect in 2021, and only after other costs were cut such as marketing payments and injury hardship funds.

NRL ‘won’t last long’ if season suspended

The NRL will meet with Brendan Murphy, chief medical officer of NSW, on Tuesday, to ask for special consideration and availability of testing for players to keep the season alive.

They will also rely on a report from newly appointed biosecurity and pandemic specialists to decide how to navigate the complex situation of playing games in round two and beyond.

The NRL admitted all options are on the table, including isolating players and staff and suspending the season entirely.

“If it's a total closure, we haven't got long at all,” V'landys said.

“If it's one where we can continue to play the game with no spectators, that gives us a much greater flexibility to survive.

“It really depends on what we're faced with. If one player or ball boy catches the disease and we have to suspend the season, that's another scenario.

“I spent hours yesterday looking at all our accounts and all I could see was the word 'catastrophe' if this continues.”

While refusing to reveal specific contract details of its $2 billion deal with broadcasters, V'landys said Fox Sports and Channel Nine have not put pressure on the NRL to continue playing.

However, he admitted the broadcasters will not need to pay if games are cancelled.

Elite players Cameron Smith and Michael Morgan have expressed their preference to suspend the season, and Greenberg confirmed no player would be forced to play if they would prefer to isolate.

with AAP

https://au.yahoo.com/sports/nrl-scott-m ... 59027.html

[leagueiscrap]

Bahahaha

But but the nrlol is cashed up the league loons say!

Let see if they go to the bank again begging for a loan!

Only to be denied and leave the bank with the bank managers in fits of laughter

[AFLcrap1]

Lol the loan rant again .

[Fred]

But he is right though.


Anyway... the NRL have handled this appallingly. They come out in a time of crisis when many businesses are struggling and ask for handouts saying “poor me”. Seriously, it seems administration. After administration seems to just fuck things up. They are not really smart when it comes to public image.

At least the afl has the smarts to say “we will do this and do that and take pay cuts” and not ask for sympathy and handouts. I mean how bloody stupid are they at nrl head quarters? Ever heard of back channels ????? Seriously, the incompetence as to how the nrl has managed this from a marketing perspective in the very least, is out standing.

[leagueiscrap]

Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V’landys has again admitted the NRL is facing the “biggest catastrophe you’ve ever seen” if the sport is suspended and can’t get back on the field in 2020.

The unprecedented nature of the coronavirus crisis has left the sporting world in shock and the NRL navigating uncharted waters.

Watch the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership on KAYO. Every game of every round LIVE & Ad-Break Free during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >


Details of the NRL’s difficult financial position has left the sport needing to stay on the field to survive.

The NRL has been widely criticised for its stance on the issue after foundation ARL Commission member Gary Pemberton said $50 million should be banked in a future fund back in 2012.

By 2020, it should be between $400-450 million, speaking on Fox League’s NRL 360, V’landys admitted the league had $70-80 million.

On Sunday night, Paul Kent said it was about “three months” runway.

It’s been one of the sticking points so far throughout the crisis with the likes of Phil Gould taking aim.

Fox Sports journalist James Hooper pressed V’landys on why the NRL had so little in the fund.

“I can’t comment on the past, I can only comment on while I’ve been on the commission and we’ve been looking at a Future’s Fund and that’s why we have $70-80 million that has been banked up,” he said.

“Unfortunately, this has been an unforeseen crisis. No one saw the consequences of this virus and the potential financial impact this has on the game. Gary Pemberton was 100 per cent correct, we should have been putting $50 million aside, we should have a futures fund and I can assure you that running into the future we will certainly have a futures fund going forward.”

V’landys said that while the financial issue could be make or break the NRL, he believes all teams will survive.

Speaking after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the NRL “was not high on the list at the moment” for economic stimulus, V’landys admitted it may be crucial for the league survival if it is forced to shut down.

“Without it, the picture looks bleak,” he said. “It really depends on the contingency we face. If it's a complete shutdown for the season, it’s the biggest catastrophe you’ve ever seen. But we will do everything in our power to continue the season and minimise the financial impact on the game.”

But it hasn’t stopped the criticism of the lack of foresight in spending the proposed fund, leaving the NRL unable to weather the virus storm like the world’s biggest sports such as the F1 and NB

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2 ... 99b5fb3b11


Bahahahahahaha

[leagueiscrap]

Lol the loan rant again .

Says the loon who doesn’t understand!

[leagueiscrap]

The NRL is not high on the list at the moment... addressing the health issues, hospitals, aged care facilities, small business and in particular casuals," Morrison told 2GB radio host Alan Jones.

The NRL admitted yesterday all options are on the table, including isolating players and staff and suspending the season entirely. The rapidly changing situation has seen the NRL set to go behind closed doors from round two while the world deals with the pandemic.

"If it's a total closure, we haven't got long at all," V'landys said. "If it's one where we can continue to play the game with no spectators, that gives us a much greater flexibility to survive.

"It really depends on what we're faced with. If one player or ball boy catches the disease and we have to suspend the season, that's another scenario.

"I spent hours yesterday looking at all our accounts and all I could see was the word 'catastrophe' if this continues."

While refusing to reveal specific contract details of its $2 billion deal with broadcasters, V'landys said Fox Sports and Channel 9 have not put pressure on the NRL to continue playing.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a ... d=12316989

[leagueiscrap]

There isn’t a more ignorant, self centred pathetic code in the country or possibly the world!

The pathetic clubs are owned and backed by wealthy owners and mini casinos filled with pokes. The league it self has near multi billion dollar contracts in place, and with in a few weeks of the virus they are already begging for more hand outs!

Don’t worry about the sick and the medical staff and over filled hospitals coping with the virus! It’s all about the nrl!

They probably build a new pointless admin building with the money or go on some expensive think tank program with the money and still beg for more as they have found a solution!

Just fold! There isn’t a more embarrassing pathetic code in the world! And that’s not even including their fan base that’s another story in its self

[AFLcrap1]

Lol theses rants are hilarious

[Fred]

Lol theses rants are hilarious

Seriously ... if you can’t address the post and the points in it why do you comment? Are you trying to deflect ?

[Terry]

Well, the ususal low information llllloooooonnns are out in force again. This is like SOO time bought forward lololololololol!!!!! It's pretty simple folks............Peter V'Landy's is and will be doing his best for RL. The same applies to Gilty and the boys. If you dills don't think the AFL will have their considerable snout in the public trough you are................ummm...............yeah...............oh..........we already know lololololololol!!!!!!!!

Settle down chaps. The only thing to fear is fear itself!!!!!

[leagueiscrap]

Well, the ususal low information llllloooooonnns are out in force again. This is like SOO time bought forward lololololololol!!!!! It's pretty simple folks............Peter V'Landy's is and will be doing his best for RL. The same applies to Gilty and the boys. If you dills don't think the AFL will have their considerable snout in the public trough you are................ummm...............yeah...............oh..........we already know lololololololol!!!!!!!!

Settle down chaps. The only thing to fear is fear itself!!!!!

Thanks for those words of wisdom terry!

If you really want to help save the nrl and better the world, how about you tighten that tin foil hat and spend your time better finding a cure for that Coronavirus! Better still do a group think thank with your other league looney mates!

Who knows what a group of genius league fans could come up together when they put their minds and energy to it! Solving Coronavirus, cancer, nrls money troubles! The list could be endless terry pal!

[Terry]

Well, the ususal low information llllloooooonnns are out in force again. This is like SOO time bought forward lololololololol!!!!! It's pretty simple folks............Peter V'Landy's is and will be doing his best for RL. The same applies to Gilty and the boys. If you dills don't think the AFL will have their considerable snout in the public trough you are................ummm...............yeah...............oh..........we already know lololololololol!!!!!!!!

Settle down chaps. The only thing to fear is fear itself!!!!!

Thanks for those words of wisdom terry!

If you really want to help save the nrl and better the world, how about you tighten that tin foil hat and spend your time better finding a cure for that Coronavirus! Better still do a group think thank with your other league looney mates!

Who knows what a group of genius league fans could come up together when they put their minds and energy to it! Solving Coronavirus, cancer, nrls money troubles! The list could be endless terry pal!

Thanks pal. I'll give it a go to save humanity!!!!! In the mean time I suggest folk calm down. Cool heads are needed. Luckily I'm here for ya pal!!!!

[pussycat]

Gee, no insurance or assets outside of games themselves to produce income and little left in the NRL future fund it seems. Low priority for government assistance too.

Scott Morrison's blunt response to NRL's coronavirus plea
Sam GoodwinSports Editor
Yahoo Sport Australia

The Prime Minister has played down the possibility of a government bail-out for the NRL should the league be forced to shut down due to coronavirus.

The NRL will push for special consideration from the Australian government to test players for coronavirus while the game faces a “catastrophic” demise if it's forced to suspend the competition.

On Sunday the NRL confirmed it would forge ahead with the competition in round two in the interest of keeping the game alive financially despite the growing pandemic which has forced the shut down of other major sports.

Without insurance or assets to produce income outside of the games themselves, ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said the NRL would not take long to collapse if the season was suspended without financial assistance from the government.

However Scott Morrison issued a gloomy response when asked about V’landys’ plea on Monday.

“Obviously the NRL is not high on the list at the moment,” Morrison said.

Already the NRL has dipped into its 'distress fund' to the tune of $6.8 million, allocating $425,000 to each of the 16 clubs to assist with the financial pressure of closing games to fans from round two.

However, this is a meagre sum compared to the losses clubs are faced with from next weekend.

There were also suggestions the NRL could lower the competition's salary cap, effectively cutting the wage of players as part of the collective bargaining agreement with the Rugby League Players Association.

However, the RLPA has confirmed with AAP that the extraordinary measure would only be eligible to come into effect in 2021, and only after other costs were cut such as marketing payments and injury hardship funds.

NRL ‘won’t last long’ if season suspended

The NRL will meet with Brendan Murphy, chief medical officer of NSW, on Tuesday, to ask for special consideration and availability of testing for players to keep the season alive.

They will also rely on a report from newly appointed biosecurity and pandemic specialists to decide how to navigate the complex situation of playing games in round two and beyond.

The NRL admitted all options are on the table, including isolating players and staff and suspending the season entirely.

“If it's a total closure, we haven't got long at all,” V'landys said.

“If it's one where we can continue to play the game with no spectators, that gives us a much greater flexibility to survive.

“It really depends on what we're faced with. If one player or ball boy catches the disease and we have to suspend the season, that's another scenario.

“I spent hours yesterday looking at all our accounts and all I could see was the word 'catastrophe' if this continues.”

While refusing to reveal specific contract details of its $2 billion deal with broadcasters, V'landys said Fox Sports and Channel Nine have not put pressure on the NRL to continue playing.

However, he admitted the broadcasters will not need to pay if games are cancelled.

Elite players Cameron Smith and Michael Morgan have expressed their preference to suspend the season, and Greenberg confirmed no player would be forced to play if they would prefer to isolate.

with AAP

https://au.yahoo.com/sports/nrl-scott-m ... 59027.html

I think Gus's tales of mystery and mayhem may have been missing a few facts. The NRL has Cash of around $70m. Maybe Gus should be telling us all about his time at Penrith and the excellent job he done there.

[Terry]

Gee, no insurance or assets outside of games themselves to produce income and little left in the NRL future fund it seems. Low priority for government assistance too.

Scott Morrison's blunt response to NRL's coronavirus plea
Sam GoodwinSports Editor
Yahoo Sport Australia

The Prime Minister has played down the possibility of a government bail-out for the NRL should the league be forced to shut down due to coronavirus.

The NRL will push for special consideration from the Australian government to test players for coronavirus while the game faces a “catastrophic” demise if it's forced to suspend the competition.

On Sunday the NRL confirmed it would forge ahead with the competition in round two in the interest of keeping the game alive financially despite the growing pandemic which has forced the shut down of other major sports.

Without insurance or assets to produce income outside of the games themselves, ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said the NRL would not take long to collapse if the season was suspended without financial assistance from the government.

However Scott Morrison issued a gloomy response when asked about V’landys’ plea on Monday.

“Obviously the NRL is not high on the list at the moment,” Morrison said.

Already the NRL has dipped into its 'distress fund' to the tune of $6.8 million, allocating $425,000 to each of the 16 clubs to assist with the financial pressure of closing games to fans from round two.

However, this is a meagre sum compared to the losses clubs are faced with from next weekend.

There were also suggestions the NRL could lower the competition's salary cap, effectively cutting the wage of players as part of the collective bargaining agreement with the Rugby League Players Association.

However, the RLPA has confirmed with AAP that the extraordinary measure would only be eligible to come into effect in 2021, and only after other costs were cut such as marketing payments and injury hardship funds.

NRL ‘won’t last long’ if season suspended

The NRL will meet with Brendan Murphy, chief medical officer of NSW, on Tuesday, to ask for special consideration and availability of testing for players to keep the season alive.

They will also rely on a report from newly appointed biosecurity and pandemic specialists to decide how to navigate the complex situation of playing games in round two and beyond.

The NRL admitted all options are on the table, including isolating players and staff and suspending the season entirely.

“If it's a total closure, we haven't got long at all,” V'landys said.

“If it's one where we can continue to play the game with no spectators, that gives us a much greater flexibility to survive.

“It really depends on what we're faced with. If one player or ball boy catches the disease and we have to suspend the season, that's another scenario.

“I spent hours yesterday looking at all our accounts and all I could see was the word 'catastrophe' if this continues.”

While refusing to reveal specific contract details of its $2 billion deal with broadcasters, V'landys said Fox Sports and Channel Nine have not put pressure on the NRL to continue playing.

However, he admitted the broadcasters will not need to pay if games are cancelled.

Elite players Cameron Smith and Michael Morgan have expressed their preference to suspend the season, and Greenberg confirmed no player would be forced to play if they would prefer to isolate.

with AAP

https://au.yahoo.com/sports/nrl-scott-m ... 59027.html

I think Gus's tales of mystery and mayhem may have been missing a few facts. The NRL has Cash of around $70m. Maybe Gus should be telling us all about his time at Penrith and the excellent job he done there.

Yesterday's SMH said the NRL has cash of $147M. And there's $150M put aside for the digital department which may have to be dipped into. A couple of clubs would be in trouble, probably Manly, Cronulla & the Titans, but most of the other clubs are going ok.

As much as the howling, beatup fumble crowd pray and hope for it I would be writing any obituaries yet!!!!!