News: Something smells about the elephant's sudden urge to leave the room

[Berkeley_Eagle]

<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/something-smells-about-the-elephants-sudden-urge-to-leave-the-room-20110214-1atp5.html"></a> At a meeting tomorrow to discuss the orderly transfer of power to a new independent commission, members of the almost lifeless ARL will now sit stunned and perplexed by News Ltd's unilateral announcement it will exit rugby league on April 30. No one can make sense of the date.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-size: medium;">Willie Nelson's birthday? The American songwriter's On the Road Again has some resonance, given the multiplicity of dates announced these past two years nominating when an independent commission would begin its rule of the game.</span></p>
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<a href="http://www.silvertails.net/news/5359-something-smells-about-the-elephants-sudden-urge-to-leave-the-room.html">Read the full article</a>

 

[DSM5]

The ARL is just as duplicitous as New Ltd in this whole mess.  The time lines given to the media broadcasters is/was just stupid.  Gallop and his cronies did a fine job in tying the hands of the new Commission.   

 

[Rex]

"Just as duplicitous as News Ltd" DSM?

Pretty much anything the ARL has the power to be duplicitous with is pretty much irrelevant.  It was a takeover, not a merger. The only issue they need to consider is to not make things worse by falling for the News Ltd-promoted hype around the IC and so sell the farm for peanuts.  The IC hype that sounds more and more like the SuperLeague hype. They can't be trusted.  News Ltd exiting and the IC should be two different issues.  And why is News Ltd involved in selecting the commissioners if News Ltd is leaving the game?  This whole thing stinks.

The point in the article is that giving away the last rights to News Ltd for the next negotiation is also giving away the last rites on any negotiating ability.  And so any savings are dwarfed by these losses.  Don't do it!  This whole deals stinks more and more, the more that is revealed.  Probably better to wait out the term rather than be screwed over once again.

 

[DSM5]

That's why the ARL are as duplicitous as News Rex.  They have the rights at the moment and to give News last refusal is ludicrous.  And to initially give News 25 years and then five more was, and is, just crazy.  Gallop's in there screwing us all I fear.   

 

[Rex]

Agree with the thrust DSM.  Just can't swallow the concept of anyone approaching News Ltd's crown in duplicity.

Mefears the whole Internal Commission, promoted by the DT, controlled by News Ltd, is just another SuperLeague in disguise. All hype, smoke and mirrors. Never trust those who have already screwed you over big time. Watch the left hand in your pocket while the right hand does the grand display.

When Rupert sells Rugby League to Asia and turns League into a true world game like promised, then he may have earned credibility. Who's holding their breath for that to happen?

 

[DSM5]

Agreed.

 

[Matabele]

Seems we're all agreed on something.

 

[Duff]

Ask Llando about deals with the Empire.