NRL broadcaster Channel 9 wants to scrap a Sydney club to make way for a new outfit in Brisbane – and three teams are on the chopping block
- Channel 9 are reportedly pushing for a second rugby league team in Brisbane
- It is alleged the station wants to avoid expanding the NRL in favour of new plan
- Three teams are most at risk of being moved to Brisbane under alleged plan
- However it could also lead to a club being disbanded in favour of all new club
NRL broadcaster Channel Nine wants to scrap an existing rugby league club to make way for a new team in Brisbane, it has been reported.
The broadcaster wants to shake things up to bring more fans and viewers to the sport – but is against the proposal to expand the league from 16 teams.
Channel Nine director of sport Tom Malone told The Daily Telegraph the network is not keen on this idea because some teams are already struggling.
Instead, it wants to see a Sydney team moved to Brisbane or disbanded to make way for a new Brisbane outfit.
Reports indicate Channel 9 wants to scrap a Sydney rugby league club to make way for anew club in Brisbane with two Sydney clubs most at risk (Broncos cheerleaders pictured)
The most at risk clubs are reportedly the Cronulla Sharks and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles for Sydney teams and the Gold Coast Titans for out of state teams
‘In a perfect world you’d probably have one or two less teams, it’s a hard decision but probably one that needs to be made in the longer term interests of the game,’ he said
According to the Telegraph, the clubs most at risk of being disbanded are the Cronulla Sharks, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Gold Coast Titans.
Channel Nine wants the changes to be in place for the 2023 season, according to the report.
The NRL has reportedly set up an internal working group which is tasked with analysing new growth markets for the competition.
Channel 9’s director of sport Tom Malone (pictured) told the publication the network was not keen to see the NRL competition expand to 16 teams as some are struggling
Brisbane has been seen as a great market for the NRL with the Brisbane Broncos regularly drawing the largest regular season crowds.
It is also being reported Foxtel would be interested in another team in Brisbane.
Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delany is reportedly in favour creating a local derby similar to that of the Wanderers and Sydney FC in the A-League.
‘It’s all about generating more fans and bigger TV audiences. I don’t know if you’d get that real tribal traction with rugby league in Perth that you’d get in Brisbane,’ Mr Delaney.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg met with Queensland premier Annastasia Palaszczuk on Friday reportedly to gauge the validity of a second NRL team in Brisbane.
Channel Nine invests $2billion in the NRL which could possibly give it leverage to force a move like the one being reported.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Nine for comment.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg met with Queensland premier Annastasia Palaszczuk on Friday reportedly to gauge the validity of a second NRL team in Brisbane