That's entertainment Folks!

[Nike]

I don't know why people keep referring to crowd attendance, viewership or participation numbers, sorry but your opinion doesn't really hold up against the facts - which are very easy to find.

The suburbs behind rugby league’s record numbers staving off AFL (July 13, 2024)

"Unbeknown to them, the Whites only just managed to get Oscar’s registration complete in time to play this year – but an even bigger surprise was when they were told he was the 200,000th player to sign up for the sport in Australia in 2024.

It’s the first time rugby league has reached the milestone."

The suburbs behind rugby league’s record numbers staving off AFL

The NRL has topped $700m in revenue for the first time ever amid bumper profits and TV numbers (February 21, 2024)

"Rugby league is now Australia’s most-watched sport with total viewership of 171.8 million, up 14 per cent from 150.6m in 2022."

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/t...s/news-story/547ff87cd88ef60416d99622e836fc38

New NRL crowd record looms as fans flock to the footy (August 31, 2024)

"2023 (204 games) 3,797,922 fans
*2024 (191 games) 3,657,876 fans

*13 games remaining in the season"

New NRL crowd record looms as fans flock to the footy

I'm not disagreeing that the game has undergone en****tification as time has gone by but the numbers don't lie. The NRL and rugby league in general have some very valid flaws and criticisms that can be levied against them.

I'll happily start the ball rolling by firmly affixing my tinfoil hat and pointing out the huge funding that comes via gambling revenue streams (Gambling in Australia) and how that could have a direct influence on officiating determining outcomes. I'm not referring to the pokie dens that sustain certain clubs, more the "keep it close" or "what crackdown?" officiating inconsistencies depending on where the liabilities may be unfavorable for vested interests is a lot more plausible.

This along with I don't know, maybe straight up eradicating the broadcast of sickening head trauma in light of the increased understanding regarding the associated long term consequences?

Maybe these things play more of a part than we realise, the former certainly explains a lot of rule changes that have provided a whole new level of control for officials to determine outcomes.

 

[Real Deal]

And Mint Slices aren't as good as they once were. Don't get me started on Wagon Wheels!

As the last of the Boomers, the first game I attended was in 1975.

I don't regularly watch the TV telecast any more. I watched the Tigers vs Eagles match and yelled at the screen for the match. I can't stand the commentary. Full of hyperbole and superlatives - they don't actually call the game. Ole Rex Mossop and Frank Hyde are often figures of derision these days, but they actually called and analysed the game.

And another thing. I actually enjoy the game experience. I go with my eldest daughter. But what on earth language does the ground announcer speak? He appears to speak fluent T20. That is:-

"ahhyoueharewhaver,annagourangaWAAAHH!"

I really need subtitles.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Incredible defence ( no try’s ) , incredible attack ( stopped by said defence ), only separated at the end by two penalties kick.

It was an absolute classic game of rugby league for sure, but my recollection is there was one try and no goals - i think the try was RTS pouncing on a kick about 1cm from the sideline and dead ball line. The match couldn't have been any closer!

Whilst there are scrum clocks and drop out clocks for other such instances throughout the game, I have no idea why they didn't make the rule 'time off' for all instances the ball is out of play.

I thought it may have been a player welfare/enterprise bargaining thing because it would have added a significant percentage to ball-in-play time? Could be wrong.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

It was an absolute classic game of rugby league for sure, but my recollection is there was one try and no goals - i think the try was RTS pouncing on a kick about 1cm from the sideline and dead ball line. The match couldn't have been any closer!



I thought it may have been a player welfare/enterprise bargaining thing because it would have added a significant percentage to ball-in-play time? Could be wrong.

Yes fair enough it was 11 years ago , and my memory isn’t quite as good as it once was.

 

[NYEagle]

NRL has gone the way of T-20, the bastardised version of a sport which was once called cricket.
Mistakenly thinking that all spectators wanted was sixers being hit, 'cricket' has become Super Hit, or **** for short. It has lost all the nuances of a fair contest between bat and ball.
Sadly, we've seen that happen to the NRL where rule makers have prioritised tries over other attributes, such as grit, toughness, low tackling, defence and courage. This current round has seen ridiculous score lines, referee-engineered comebacks, record numbers of players put on report for "high tackles", and indefensible decisions from The Clunker.
Almost everyone agrees that the best match this year was the third SOO which had everything 'old school' about the sport and didn't rely on tries to captivate its audience.
How I long for the days of a low tackle, a low penalty count, a concise rule book and low involvement from off-field officialdom. A low scoring match can be as entertaining as any; certainly more so than that embarrassing 44-40 Eels gigglefest. That wasn't rugby league, it was basketball without the basket.
An NRL match is now a one-trick pony. Watching tries is great, but not when there are 15 in a match. It's the same as hitting a six in cricket; it used to be a highlight, now it is commonplace and predictable.

Great insightful post @The Who !

This back and forth basketball style of footy is boring, Ask my wife who has tuned out all season and barely raises her eyes off her phone watching clips of nail polish demos and scary videos.

Maybe next week i'll join her.

But in all serious it is all a bit dull, and far too controlled by the ref and not the players.

That said, once the finals start and teams start playing for their season you will see some drama. That will be fun.

I have never felt this before but one thing I feel this year is that the regular season is too long in its current format. Lots of throwaway games and you don't know whether your team will win by 30 or lose by 30. Hopefully we end with a 20 team comp where every team plays each other once, with no byes and standalone origin and proper international representative schedule at years that will give the players in some of the lower teams out of contention something to play for.

NYEagle

 

[The Who]

Great insightful post @The Who !

This back and forth basketball style of footy is boring, Ask my wife who has tuned out all season and barely raises her eyes off her phone watching clips of nail polish demos and scary videos.

Maybe next week i'll join her.

But in all serious it is all a bit dull, and far too controlled by the ref and not the players.

That said, once the finals start and teams start playing for their season you will see some drama. That will be fun.

I have never felt this before but one thing I feel this year is that the regular season is too long in its current format. Lots of throwaway games and you don't know whether your team will win by 30 or lose by 30. Hopefully we end with a 20 team comp where every team plays each other once, with no byes and standalone origin and proper international representative schedule at years that will give the players in some of the lower teams out of contention something to play for.

NYEagle

Agree. The regular season is too long. It may be co-incidence but many of the NRL best players are now injured and will miss (some of) the final series: Cleary, Saab, Turbo, Pappy, Radley, Smith, Walker, Ado-Carr, Hynes (just back)....
I think we need a two group competition, based on geography. I've outlined my thoughts before. It's how the big sports in the US operate. Top four from each division meet in a series of finals matches. It can't be perfect but it will reduce travel, guarantee more local derbies and be fairer for each team within the same division.

 

[The Who]

And Mint Slices aren't as good as they once were. Don't get me started on Wagon Wheels!

As the last of the Boomers, the first game I attended was in 1975.

I don't regularly watch the TV telecast any more. I watched the Tigers vs Eagles match and yelled at the screen for the match. I can't stand the commentary. Full of hyperbole and superlatives - they don't actually call the game. Ole Rex Mossop and Frank Hyde are often figures of derision these days, but they actually called and analysed the game.

And another thing. I actually enjoy the game experience. I go with my eldest daughter. But what on earth language does the ground announcer speak? He appears to speak fluent T20. That is:-

"ahhyoueharewhaver,annagourangaWAAAHH!"

I really need subtitles.

So true. My first recollection was around 1960 as a 6-7 year old at the old Brookie Showground. I fell in love with the maroon and white jerseys with the giant eagle on the breastplate.
We have it much easier these days thanks to TV, streaming etc. We can watch all matches so there is no sense of missing out. Just like T-20, we become blaise unless it is a special match with grave significance.
That's probably why my/our recollections of past matches remain: we only got limited opportunities to watch Manly play so each match was special.

 

[Once Was Brissie Kid]

There's many deep thinkers inside NRL who on the kool aid have concluded speed of game and points is evidence of entertainment value. Which is rubbish, as cricket & NFL prove, as does soccer, as did rugby league itself before the late 1980s.

There's many inside NRL and tv networks who suffer AFL envy. They see AFL crowds or ratings and think its a return on the amount of goals being scored, or the length of the game. So now NRL has many more tries and games that kickoff at 3pm finish under lights at 4.55pm instead of a sunset sky at 4.35pm.

NRL crowds and venues should be compared with American basketball or ice hockey. These are bear pits. Leave AFL field sport to play out its athletic track meets on cricket ovals.

Cricket and horse racing crowds in Melbourne far exceed those in Sydney. Doesn't mean the cricket and horse racing is any better in Melbourne than it is in Sydney.

 

[NYEagle]

Agree. The regular season is too long. It may be co-incidence but many of the NRL best players are now injured and will miss (some of) the final series: Cleary, Saab, Turbo, Pappy, Radley, Smith, Walker, Ado-Carr, Hynes (just back)....
I think we need a two group competition, based on geography. I've outlined my thoughts before. It's how the big sports in the US operate. Top four from each division meet in a series of finals matches. It can't be perfect but it will reduce travel, guarantee more local derbies and be fairer for each team within the same division.

I think another aspect is that some of these teams have suffered the Djokovic/Alcaraz effect out of the Vegas series.

Roosters are busted, and Souths and Brisbane are D.O.A,

I think our high unpredictability this year could be a result of fatigue rather than talent. It's a long season, and this team had to lift for a grand finals atmosphere game before the season even started. Pity we haven't had a chance to truly rest players, and lets hope the adrenaline of the finals gets them going again.

I just want a grand final experience for this team this year. It will completely change how these players feel about themselves and why they play the game particularly for the Urbo's and Brooks not to forget Froggy, Ola, Paseka, Koula, Lehi etc. it will be massive win or lose.

NYEagle

 

[vidmar]

I don't know why people keep referring to crowd attendance, viewership or participation numbers, sorry but your opinion doesn't really hold up against the facts - which are very easy to find.

The suburbs behind rugby league’s record numbers staving off AFL (July 13, 2024)

"Unbeknown to them, the Whites only just managed to get Oscar’s registration complete in time to play this year – but an even bigger surprise was when they were told he was the 200,000th player to sign up for the sport in Australia in 2024.

It’s the first time rugby league has reached the milestone."

The suburbs behind rugby league’s record numbers staving off AFL

The NRL has topped $700m in revenue for the first time ever amid bumper profits and TV numbers (February 21, 2024)

"Rugby league is now Australia’s most-watched sport with total viewership of 171.8 million, up 14 per cent from 150.6m in 2022."

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/t...s/news-story/547ff87cd88ef60416d99622e836fc38

New NRL crowd record looms as fans flock to the footy (August 31, 2024)

"2023 (204 games) 3,797,922 fans
*2024 (191 games) 3,657,876 fans

*13 games remaining in the season"

New NRL crowd record looms as fans flock to the footy

I'm not disagreeing that the game has undergone en****tification as time has gone by but the numbers don't lie. The NRL and rugby league in general have some very valid flaws and criticisms that can be levied against them.

I'll happily start the ball rolling by firmly affixing my tinfoil hat and pointing out the huge funding that comes via gambling revenue streams (Gambling in Australia) and how that could have a direct influence on officiating determining outcomes. I'm not referring to the pokie dens that sustain certain clubs, more the "keep it close" or "what crackdown?" officiating inconsistencies depending on where the liabilities may be unfavorable for vested interests is a lot more plausible.

This along with I don't know, maybe straight up eradicating the broadcast of sickening head trauma in light of the increased understanding regarding the associated long term consequences?

Maybe these things play more of a part than we realise, the former certainly explains a lot of rule changes that have provided a whole new level of control for officials to determine outcomes.

 

[vidmar]

Here's the crowd details (sourced from Sports Industry AU)

Average attendances for NRL games from 2018 to 2024: -

2018: The average attendance was around 15,949, which was slightly higher than the previous years

2019: Slight decline, with average attendances dropping to approximately 15,804

2020**: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendances were significantly impacted, especially as games were played without spectators for a portion of the season. The average attendance for the year, when crowds were allowed, was around 5,411. –

2021 Although COVID-19 restrictions continued to affect attendance, the average increased to around 10,251

2022: Attendance began to recover more fully, with an average of around 16,691

2023 The average attendance further improved, reaching approximately 17,057

2024 (so far) The season has shown an average attendance of around 18,471

Compare this to AFL:

2018: 35,122 per game (totalling approximately 7.59 million for the season)

2019: About 36,317

2020: Due to the COVID-19 average attendance was c8,091per game

2021: Attendance rebounded with an average of 29,588 per game, (restrictions eased but some limitations remained)

2022: 31,485 per game as stadiums returned closer to full capacity. - 2023: The average attendance was around 34,700 per game, showing a continued recovery and fan engagement. - 2024 (so far): 2024 : currently around 37,424 per game

And TV ratings….

Over the last five years, the viewing figures for the NRL have seen a mix of ups and downs across both free-to-air (FTA) and subscription services.

2019: The NRL experienced a slight drop in viewership compared to 2018. The total season audience across all platforms was 88.2 million, averaging 459,000 viewers per game. The State of Origin series drew 8.87 million viewers, which was down by 4% compared to 2018.

20/21 Covid affected it

More recently, As of 2024, the average TV ratings for NRL games have seen only a slight increase compared to the previous season (2023).

Specifically: - Free-to-Air (FTA) Viewership: The average viewership per game on free-to-air television has increased by about 2.5% compared to 2023.

For the first seven rounds of the 2024 season, the average FTA viewership was approximately 535,000 per game. (This figure includes both traditional broadcast viewers and those watching via BVOD (broadband video on demand) on platforms like 9NOW) – note that the Round 1 games in Vegas viewer numbers were way above average for round 1 games normally.

Subscription Services (e.g., Fox League)**: In 2024, NRL games on subscription services is around 248,000 viewers per game on Foxtel (2023 was around 233,00 per game)

 

[The Who]

We all love rugby league, that's why we are on this Forum. It is the greatest winter sport I know. However, it could be a lot better without the excessive interference of on and off-field officials, the continual rule changes, plus the inequity and secrecy of the salary cap.
Whilst it may seem that Baby Boomers like me are continually whinging it is being done with the intention of shining a light on ways the sport could be even better. Ultimately we all want each club to have a fair crack at success, and that each match is decided by the best team on the day.

 

[vidmar]

In 2009 the Roosters were wooden spooners.

Last… the worst club in the comp – of the 24 games they played they lost 19 of them… their points differential was -299 (the next worst was the Sharks with -209)

Not exactly an attractive proposition for a sponsor you’d think, but no….

The 2010 season saw them sponsored by Steggles which was the start of a partnership that’s still in place to this day…

While the exact financial details of the deal have not always been fully disclosed, reports indicate that the partnership was initially valued at around AUD 4 million over a five-year period. This would make it one of the more substantial sponsorships in the NRL at that time.

The deal has since been extended multiple times, with Steggles remaining a prominent sponsor of the Roosters, and the value of the deal likely increased with each renewal.

(Note: The sponsorship has also included a significant charitable component, known as the "Steggles Roosters Charity Nest," which has raised over $4 million for various children's charities. This initiative has involved Steggles donating $1,000 for every point the Roosters win by in a match, with the Roosters themselves contributing an additional $250 per point.)

Back in 2009/10 the head of Channel 9 was David Gyngell…. The same David Gyngell, Director and life member (2006) of the Roosters.... strange coincidence?

The worst club of the previous season got the first (and second) Free To Air games (the opener was v Souths which was a rating bonanza as was round 2 v Tigers) on channel 9

They also got round 3 (vs the Bulldogs) AND round 4 vs the Broncos (massive ratings) and even round 5 vs the Panthers…

They had 11 FTA games in the season and finished 6th .

Why is Free To Air so important to a club in attracting sponsorship?

The value of the sponsorship is reported to sponsors and the clubs they support by company’s like Gemba, a leading sports and entertainment consultancy that provides insights into sponsorship effectiveness, including logo exposure analysis, to quantify media value and impact.

Another notable company in this space is Repucom (now part of Nielsen Sports), which also specializes in sponsorship analytics and media exposure evaluation for sports events, including the NRL.

These companies offer tools and services to measure the visibility and impact of sponsor logos across various media channels, helping sponsors understand the value they derive from their investments in sports sponsorships.

In the 2024 NRL season so far, free-to-air (FTA) broadcasts generally have more than double average viewership compared to subscription services like Foxtel.

Simples… If you can show a sponsor that there are more eyeballs on you then the sponsors will choose you over other teams.

Here’s the breakdown of FTA games in the previous seasons

2021 Season

Brisbane Broncos - 22 games

South Sydney Rabbitohs - 18 games

Sydney Roosters - 17 games

Parramatta Eels - 16 games

Melbourne Storm - 15 games

2022 Season

Brisbane Broncos - 21 games

South Sydney Rabbitohs - 18 games

Sydney Roosters - 16 games

Parramatta Eels - 15 games

Melbourne Storm - 14 games

2023 Season

Brisbane Broncos - 22 games

South Sydney Rabbitohs - 18 games

Sydney Roosters - 16 games

Parramatta Eels - 15 games

Melbourne Storm - 14 games

As of writing here’s this seasons before the last round so far…

South Sydney Rabbitohs - 14 FTA games

Brisbane Broncos - 13 FTA games

Sydney Roosters - 13 FTA games

Melbourne Storm - 11 FTA games

Parramatta Eels - 10 FTA games

Canterbury Bulldogs - 9 FTA games

Penrith Panthers - 9 FTA games

Manly Sea Eagles - 9 FTA games

Wests Tigers - 8 FTA games 10.

Cronulla Sharks - 8 FTA games

For the 2024 season, the South Sydney Rabbitohs derive a significant portion of their annual revenue from sponsorship deals. While the exact percentage varies depending on sources and fluctuating sponsorship agreements, it's estimated that sponsorship contributes to approximately 30-40% of their total revenue. This includes major partnerships with brands such as Sportsbet, Hisense, and KFC, among others. This strong sponsorship backing is a crucial part of the club's financial structure, supporting both operational costs and player salaries (under the cap of course…..)

We’ve already covered the Roosters above… What about the Bronco’s…?

The NRMA (National Roads and Motorists' Association) started its shirt sponsorship of the Brisbane Broncos in 2011. This partnership has been one of the longest-running and most visible in the NRL.

While specific financial details of the sponsorship deal have varied over the years, it was reported that the initial deal was worth approximately AUD 1 million per season. Over time, as the Broncos' profile and the NRL's popularity grew, the value of the sponsorship deal increased. By the mid-2010s, the deal was estimated to be worth around AUD 1.5 to 2 million per season.

The exact cumulative value of the deal over the years isn't publicly disclosed, but it's likely to have been in the tens of millions of dollars given the duration and increasing value of the sponsorship.

The NRL team with the least number of free-to-air (FTA) games since 2020 has consistently been the Canberra Raiders. Here's a breakdown of their FTA games over the years:

• 2020: 5 games
• 2021: 7 games
• 2022: 6 games
• 2023: 5 games
• 2024: 7 games

Pity their poor corporate team trying to attract national sponsors with big pockets…. They tend to attract localised sponsors

Since 2020, the Canberra Raiders have fortunately secured several sponsorship deals with a variety of companies:

Canberra Milk - Rejoined as the major sponsor in 2021, marking a nostalgic return to a partnership that dates back to the Raiders' earlier successes. This deal was particularly symbolic as it coincided with Canberra Milk’s 50th anniversary

McDonald’s Australia - Extended their long-term sponsorship with the Raiders through to the end of the 2027 season. McDonald's branding is prominent at Raiders' home games, including on goal post pads and on the NRL and NRLW shorts. The partnership highlights McDonald's continued commitment to supporting local

Capital Property Group - Continued its partnership, which includes branding for Canberra Airport and Denman Prospect on the Raiders' jerseys and shorts. This partnership was recently extended for three more seasons, emphasizing the group’s commitment to the local community and its support for the Raiders

Yet again, a clear demonstration that in true "Animal Farm" tradition some NRL teams are more equal than others.

Bigger sponsor dollars don’t necessarily guarantee success on the field... but it does help significanlty with better facilities and infrastructure, the ability to attract and retain better medical and coaching support staff and to be able to afford to invest and support high performance athletes and the expense of running a top flight sports business…

So, if you’re given a significant “leg up” each season with the draw and the FTA broadcasts by the NRL and the broadcasters then “That’s entertainment!”

 

[47MVEagle]

We all love rugby league, that's why we are on this Forum. It is the greatest winter sport I know. However, it could be a lot better without the excessive interference of on and off-field officials, the continual rule changes, plus the inequity and secrecy of the salary cap.
Whilst it may seem that Baby Boomers like me are continually whinging it is being done with the intention of shining a light on ways the sport could be even better. Ultimately we all want each club to have a fair crack at success, and that each match is decided by the best team on the day.

I'd love more transparency of the salary cap too but I suspect privacy laws would prevent us knowing exactly what each player is paid every year.

 

[Tomay]

The bookies got their wooden spoon playoff

 

[BOZO]

In 2009 the Roosters were wooden spooners.

Last… the worst club in the comp – of the 24 games they played they lost 19 of them… their points differential was -299 (the next worst was the Sharks with -209)

Not exactly an attractive proposition for a sponsor you’d think, but no….

The 2010 season saw them sponsored by Steggles which was the start of a partnership that’s still in place to this day…

While the exact financial details of the deal have not always been fully disclosed, reports indicate that the partnership was initially valued at around AUD 4 million over a five-year period. This would make it one of the more substantial sponsorships in the NRL at that time.

The deal has since been extended multiple times, with Steggles remaining a prominent sponsor of the Roosters, and the value of the deal likely increased with each renewal.

(Note: The sponsorship has also included a significant charitable component, known as the "Steggles Roosters Charity Nest," which has raised over $4 million for various children's charities. This initiative has involved Steggles donating $1,000 for every point the Roosters win by in a match, with the Roosters themselves contributing an additional $250 per point.)

Back in 2009/10 the head of Channel 9 was David Gyngell…. The same David Gyngell, Director and life member (2006) of the Roosters.... strange coincidence?

The worst club of the previous season got the first (and second) Free To Air games (the opener was v Souths which was a rating bonanza as was round 2 v Tigers) on channel 9

They also got round 3 (vs the Bulldogs) AND round 4 vs the Broncos (massive ratings) and even round 5 vs the Panthers…

They had 11 FTA games in the season and finished 6th .

Why is Free To Air so important to a club in attracting sponsorship?

The value of the sponsorship is reported to sponsors and the clubs they support by company’s like Gemba, a leading sports and entertainment consultancy that provides insights into sponsorship effectiveness, including logo exposure analysis, to quantify media value and impact.

Another notable company in this space is Repucom (now part of Nielsen Sports), which also specializes in sponsorship analytics and media exposure evaluation for sports events, including the NRL.

These companies offer tools and services to measure the visibility and impact of sponsor logos across various media channels, helping sponsors understand the value they derive from their investments in sports sponsorships.

In the 2024 NRL season so far, free-to-air (FTA) broadcasts generally have more than double average viewership compared to subscription services like Foxtel.

Simples… If you can show a sponsor that there are more eyeballs on you then the sponsors will choose you over other teams.

Here’s the breakdown of FTA games in the previous seasons

2021 Season

Brisbane Broncos - 22 games

South Sydney Rabbitohs - 18 games

Sydney Roosters - 17 games

Parramatta Eels - 16 games

Melbourne Storm - 15 games

2022 Season

Brisbane Broncos - 21 games

South Sydney Rabbitohs - 18 games

Sydney Roosters - 16 games

Parramatta Eels - 15 games

Melbourne Storm - 14 games

2023 Season

Brisbane Broncos - 22 games

South Sydney Rabbitohs - 18 games

Sydney Roosters - 16 games

Parramatta Eels - 15 games

Melbourne Storm - 14 games

As of writing here’s this seasons before the last round so far…

South Sydney Rabbitohs - 14 FTA games

Brisbane Broncos - 13 FTA games

Sydney Roosters - 13 FTA games

Melbourne Storm - 11 FTA games

Parramatta Eels - 10 FTA games

Canterbury Bulldogs - 9 FTA games

Penrith Panthers - 9 FTA games

Manly Sea Eagles - 9 FTA games

Wests Tigers - 8 FTA games 10.

Cronulla Sharks - 8 FTA games

For the 2024 season, the South Sydney Rabbitohs derive a significant portion of their annual revenue from sponsorship deals. While the exact percentage varies depending on sources and fluctuating sponsorship agreements, it's estimated that sponsorship contributes to approximately 30-40% of their total revenue. This includes major partnerships with brands such as Sportsbet, Hisense, and KFC, among others. This strong sponsorship backing is a crucial part of the club's financial structure, supporting both operational costs and player salaries (under the cap of course…..)

We’ve already covered the Roosters above… What about the Bronco’s…?

The NRMA (National Roads and Motorists' Association) started its shirt sponsorship of the Brisbane Broncos in 2011. This partnership has been one of the longest-running and most visible in the NRL.

While specific financial details of the sponsorship deal have varied over the years, it was reported that the initial deal was worth approximately AUD 1 million per season. Over time, as the Broncos' profile and the NRL's popularity grew, the value of the sponsorship deal increased. By the mid-2010s, the deal was estimated to be worth around AUD 1.5 to 2 million per season.

The exact cumulative value of the deal over the years isn't publicly disclosed, but it's likely to have been in the tens of millions of dollars given the duration and increasing value of the sponsorship.

The NRL team with the least number of free-to-air (FTA) games since 2020 has consistently been the Canberra Raiders. Here's a breakdown of their FTA games over the years:

• 2020: 5 games
• 2021: 7 games
• 2022: 6 games
• 2023: 5 games
• 2024: 7 games

Pity their poor corporate team trying to attract national sponsors with big pockets…. They tend to attract localised sponsors

Since 2020, the Canberra Raiders have fortunately secured several sponsorship deals with a variety of companies:

Canberra Milk - Rejoined as the major sponsor in 2021, marking a nostalgic return to a partnership that dates back to the Raiders' earlier successes. This deal was particularly symbolic as it coincided with Canberra Milk’s 50th anniversary

McDonald’s Australia - Extended their long-term sponsorship with the Raiders through to the end of the 2027 season. McDonald's branding is prominent at Raiders' home games, including on goal post pads and on the NRL and NRLW shorts. The partnership highlights McDonald's continued commitment to supporting local

Capital Property Group - Continued its partnership, which includes branding for Canberra Airport and Denman Prospect on the Raiders' jerseys and shorts. This partnership was recently extended for three more seasons, emphasizing the group’s commitment to the local community and its support for the Raiders

Yet again, a clear demonstration that in true "Animal Farm" tradition some NRL teams are more equal than others.

Bigger sponsor dollars don’t necessarily guarantee success on the field... but it does help significanlty with better facilities and infrastructure, the ability to attract and retain better medical and coaching support staff and to be able to afford to invest and support high performance athletes and the expense of running a top flight sports business…

So, if you’re given a significant “leg up” each season with the draw and the FTA broadcasts by the NRL and the broadcasters then “That’s entertainment!”

I must confess feathered friend @vidmar . Your Great Articulacy defines the Great Manly Character that you are . You are not one of those sausage roll people that Zorba once talked about. You are Champagne and Caviar . You are a Very classy Silvertail indeed !

My Bozo the Clown perspective is
Life is what it is in our for ever evolving world
and it is up to all of us to make the most of it and become as successful and Entertaining as we can.
Those that do not have the capacity to change with the times get left behind

Speed is Cocaine on the Footy field and gets the Fans on a Intoxicating and Entertaining High

Now this is Entertainment folks
Sit back and Enjoy !

 

[BOZO]

The bookies got their wooden spoon playoff

Even in our darkest times we have never disgraced our Manly people and dishonoured our Legendry club with a spoon like all the other clubs have
All Privileged Manly people should be very proud of this .

Even this guy won a Wooden spoon and disgraced his clubs colors
The 2009 Spoon King

 

[StuBoot]

Null tackles or 2/3 agains should replace 6 agains. I've always thought an entire set is a ridiculous punishment for sometimes just tapping someone on the head. If someone lies down in the ruck for 10 seconds, the six again should be maintained, but for minor infringements there has to be something else.

The other benefit here is that refs are able to blow more "null tackles" due to the low impact it has, so aren't as scared to call one against the home side. Should produce better accountability.

An interesting take on that.
Giving away a 6 again on the first tackle isn't as bad as conceding one on the last tackle so you may be onto something.
How many times do we see back to back 6 agains on zero or first tackle which isn't really a deterrent or punishment to the defending side?

 

[BOZO]

How many times do we see back to back 6 agains on zero or first tackle which isn't really a deterrent or punishment to the defending side?

Nothing new here feathered friend
Undisciplined teams got punished in every Era
Accountability lies in the coaches players that he selects on game day

 

[The Who]

I'd love more transparency of the salary cap too but I suspect privacy laws would prevent us knowing exactly what each player is paid every year.

Possibly, but salaries of players are disclosed in other overseas sports.
That's why a points system, as an adjunct to the current secret salary cap, should be introduced. Everyone would know the points value of every roster prior to the season starting. The figure couldn't exceed a nominated cap number. Clubs wouldn't be able to bank a roster of representative players like Easts currently do. Rugby's Shute Shield has a version of this, but it covers the points a club fields in its first grade side from week to week. Easts were docked five competition points for exceeding this cap in one match.
There must be a way for a points system to be introduced into RL that gives we sausage eaters greater clarity on the fairness of the NRL competition.