NRL's record investment in Rugby League

[Jethro]

The NRL will invest more than $200 million in the development of Rugby League over four years after securing the broadcast rights deal plus delivering increases in sponsorship, major game revenue and merchandise sales.

After funding and expenses, the NRL delivered a record $49.6 million in the 2013 financial year, including significant revenue growth in both broadcast and central operations.

ARLC Chairman John Grant and NRL Chief Executive Mr Dave Smith today presented the NRL 2013 financial results, which represented a $60 million turnaround from 2012.

Read More

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Related article:

Dave Smith's message to fans

By Dave Smith, NRL chief executive
NRL.com
2:00pm Mon 24th February, 2014


Dear NRL Fans and Members

This morning we held our Annual General Meeting and we’re delighted to share with you our 2013 Annual Report.

In it you will find some information about what we thought were some of our major successes for the year, as well as some insight into how we have responded to some of the challenges we’ve faced.

Click here to read the full article at NRL.com

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Another related article:

Smith details NRL pot split

By Chris Kennedy, National Correspondent
NRL.com
1:15pm Mon 24th February, 2014


The NRL has used its annual general meeting to outline how increased revenue from the lucrative new broadcast right deal is being allocated, in a move that increases the transparency of the game's governing body.

NRL CEO Dave Smith released the organisation's annual report at its annual general meeting at Darling Harbour on Monday, then answered fans' questions before fronting the media at a press conference following the AGM.

Click here to read the full article at NRL.com

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and another one:

Moneyball: ARLC entrusts finance guru Graeme Samuel with building reserves for future

February 24, 2014 - 2:16PM
John Stensholt


ARL Commission board member Graeme Samuel will head a committee charged with overseeing an $80 million future or "sustainability" fund.

The ARLC revealed its plans at its annual general meeting and business briefing in Sydney on Monday.

Click here to read the full article at smh.com.au

 

[Jethro]

The NRL will invest more than $200 million in the development of Rugby League over four years after securing the broadcast rights deal plus delivering increases in sponsorship, major game revenue and

merchandise sales.

After funding and expenses, the NRL delivered a record $49.6 million in the 2013 financial year, including significant revenue growth in both broadcast and central operations.

ARLC Chairman John Grant and NRL Chief Executive Mr Dave Smith today presented the NRL 2013 financial results, which represented a $60 million turnaround from 2012.

“We have significantly increased our investment in the game following the new broadcast rights deal, with 100 per cent of all revenue generated by the media rights deal invested in the game,” Mr Smith said.

“Our non-broadcast revenue through sponsorship, major game revenue and merchandise covers all central operating expenses – and still generates a surplus which is reinvested in the game.

“Our results show that Rugby League is investing more in the game than ever before and is now truly positioned to enter a period of growth that will make it the strongest and healthiest it has ever been.”

Mr Smith said the NRL would invest in areas which generated strong commercial returns.

The NRL is forecasting  that more than $200 million will be available for strategic investment in the future of the game, of which $80 million is forecast to be set aside for a “sustainability fund” that is invested to generate a commercial return over the next four years.

Like private sector companies, the NRL is creating a reserve to ensure it has financial security to withstand any unforeseen events. The NRL’s goal is for non-broadcast revenue to double over the next four years.

In addition, at least $120 million will be put into a “growth fund” over four years to be used to invest directly in the strategic priorities of the game from grassroots to NRL clubs, fans and members, stadia and infrastructure, and commercial operations that generate more returns for investment.

The $120 million will be spent on football and participation, fans and members and financial sustainability and governance.

ARLC Chairman John Grant said 2013 had delivered a solid injection to the growth fund and, as this was invested over time, it would ensure Rugby League has a sustainable foundation from which it can continue to evolve as the most dynamic and exciting sport in Australia.

“We set out as a Commission to create a financial base that, if invested wisely, could make a real and long term difference to Rugby League,” he said.

“In 2014 and beyond, we will work with our clubs, State Leagues and affiliates to apply the funds in ways that meet the game’s strategic priorities.”

Mr Smith said strategic investments were already being made in the game.

More than $4 million has already been spent on a membership drive and player education and welfare in the three months since the end of the 2013 financial year (October 31).

And a further $30 million has been identified to invest in key programs including activities to create a stronger fan and membership culture; support for clubs playing in the State Leagues, grass roots infrastructure and touch football participation.

“The $1.2 billion broadcast rights deal, negotiated in 2012, provided the opportunity to fundamentally change the way we operate,” Mr Smith said.

“We are using this opportunity to embed a new funding model where all revenue generated by the media rights deal is wholly invested back into the game and central business expenses are self-funded by non-broadcast revenue.

“At the same time, we are being disciplined with our costs, especially in relation to staffing and administration.

“This will continue with the aim of keeping operating cost increases in line with inflation or lower if possible over the next four years.”

Highlights from the 2013 financial results include:

•    Central revenues of $314 million with increases across both broadcast (up 118%) and central operations (up 16%). Led by 25% increase in sponsorship and 14% in major game revenue;
•    A higher yield from major events and sponsorship to give the NRL a better quality income stream;
•    More than $241 million invested into the game;
•    $2.2 million investment in new governance measures, including the Integrity Unit, to deliver a state-of-the-art drug testing regime, policing the NRL rules, and managing the salary cap;
•    Increase in club funding from $76 million to almost $120 million (up 57%), ensuring that for the first time NRL club funding was greater than the agreed salary cap;
•    Increase in funding for state leagues and affiliates to about $17 million (up 18%);
•    More than $22 million allocated to support grassroots competitions and Rugby League school based activities; and
•    Stable operating costs achieved despite revenue growth with a 2% increase in administration costs to $15.7 million plus an extra $2 million in competition, player education and welfare and community costs.

The NRL 2013 Annual Report and further information about the NRL’s performance and focus is available at NRL.com


http://www.nrl.com/nrls-record-investment-in-rugby-league/tabid/10874/newsid/76434/default.aspx

 

[Ralphie]

All this money and they don't seem to want to spend it on improving the refereeing.

Wake up Mr Smith, the biggest issue facing the NRL is the poor standard of refereeing and the indisputable fact that last year many many games, including the GF, were decided by poor refereeing decisions and not the players.

 

[jbb/james]

Get rid of gallop and a 60 mill turn around, sounds about right. I was reading the other day David gallop was approached by a newspaper (SMH) i think. They said a D. gallop with the same name, middle name and spouse name had a hefty portfolio of shares in CH 9. He denied it, said it was a different David Gallop which i honestly believe to be the truth and so should you

On a completely unrelated topic
I always wondered why ch 9 were given last right of reply for no reason or monetry gain not long before the other David Gallop was shown the door. I wonder if the other guy was a generous the one that ran the NRL

 

[Brissie Kid]

NRL marketing guru Lewis Pullen bullish about overtaking AFL as leading code
February 25, 2014 - 9:51PM
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter


However, he will be judged on what he can derive from the next broadcast deal, and in particular how it compares with the AFL, when the contract expires in four years. While industry experts predict the AFL rights could be worth up to $1.6billion by then, Pullen is adamant league will prove to be ''the biggest sports brand in the country''.

''Our job collectively is to ensure it has the No.1 spot and it should do,'' Pullen said. ''If you think of the product, how well it works on TV, how it works as a game itself. You add in things like touch [the association with touch football] and there's absolutely no reason why it shouldn't be No.1. That's one of the reasons I joined the organisation.''

The NRL's brand has survived several recent hits, from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority scandal to the adverse headlines stemming from player misbehaviour. However, there have been many success stories, such as the game's financial strength and the introduction of new products such as the Auckland Nines.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-marketing-guru-lewis-pullen-bullish-about-overtaking-afl-as-leading-code-20140225-33fkv.html

The NRL media seems fixated on comparing AFL and NRL but then when it comes to bad image stuff gets amnesia about AFL. Did not the AFL have some ASADA issues and some players in the courts over the past year?

 

[Jethro]

NRL marketing guru Lewis Pullen bullish about overtaking AFL as leading code
February 25, 2014 - 9:51PM
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter


However, he will be judged on what he can derive from the next broadcast deal, and in particular how it compares with the AFL, when the contract expires in four years. While industry experts predict the AFL rights could be worth up to $1.6billion by then, Pullen is adamant league will prove to be ''the biggest sports brand in the country''.

''Our job collectively is to ensure it has the No.1 spot and it should do,'' Pullen said. ''If you think of the product, how well it works on TV, how it works as a game itself. You add in things like touch [the association with touch football] and there's absolutely no reason why it shouldn't be No.1. That's one of the reasons I joined the organisation.''

The NRL's brand has survived several recent hits, from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority scandal to the adverse headlines stemming from player misbehaviour. However, there have been many success stories, such as the game's financial strength and the introduction of new products such as the Auckland Nines.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-marketing-guru-lewis-pullen-bullish-about-overtaking-afl-as-leading-code-20140225-33fkv.html

The NRL media seems fixated on comparing AFL and NRL but then when it comes to bad image stuff gets amnesia about AFL. Did not the AFL have some ASADA issues and some players in the courts over the past year?

That reminds me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufqlbaurJPw

 

[Captain Moondog]

NRL marketing guru Lewis Pullen bullish about overtaking AFL as leading code
February 25, 2014 - 9:51PM
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter


However, he will be judged on what he can derive from the next broadcast deal, and in particular how it compares with the AFL, when the contract expires in four years. While industry experts predict the AFL rights could be worth up to $1.6billion by then, Pullen is adamant league will prove to be ''the biggest sports brand in the country''.

''Our job collectively is to ensure it has the No.1 spot and it should do,'' Pullen said. ''If you think of the product, how well it works on TV, how it works as a game itself. You add in things like touch [the association with touch football] and there's absolutely no reason why it shouldn't be No.1. That's one of the reasons I joined the organisation.''

The NRL's brand has survived several recent hits, from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority scandal to the adverse headlines stemming from player misbehaviour. However, there have been many success stories, such as the game's financial strength and the introduction of new products such as the Auckland Nines.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-marketing-guru-lewis-pullen-bullish-about-overtaking-afl-as-leading-code-20140225-33fkv.html

The NRL media seems fixated on comparing AFL and NRL but then when it comes to bad image stuff gets amnesia about AFL. Did not the AFL have some ASADA issues and some players in the courts over the past year?

That reminds me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufqlbaurJPw

Suddenly transported back to Narrabeen Antler....who needs a Tardis!