The NRL will throw open its books to club powerbrokers on Thursday as they descend on Rugby League Central for assurances they will receive the funding they require to remain viable.
The chief executives and chairs of the 16 clubs, as well as representatives of the NSWRL and QRL, will gather to discuss the most pressing issues facing the game. Chief among them is the whole-of-game funding arrangement, with the final details to be presented at the landmark meeting. The NRL had threatened to renege on its agreement to fund the clubs to the tune of 130 per cent of the salary cap due to a $20 million black hole in its cash flow. However, it's understood the governing body has applied for a credit facility that will enable the clubs to get the $13 million per annum promised by ARLC chairman John Grant last year.
![Promises: John Grant told the clubs they would get $13 million per annum.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170618112423im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/s/x/x/y/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwr2rz.png/1497424176686.jpg)
After initially setting aside a whole work day for the meeting, the NRL will attempt to cram in a full agenda of discussion items in just three hours. While funding will be the hottest topic, head office has also vowed to provide a snapshot of its spending and revenue, including the financials for the first half of this year. Other agenda items include an update on the collective bargaining agreement negotiations, an outline of its $150 million digital strategy, an update on plans to implement a cap on football department spending from next year and the latest developments regarding constitutional reform.
"I can't see how we will be getting through all of that in just three hours," said one club boss.
The clubs are keen to implement constitutional reform that will result in them having two appointments on an expanded 10-person commission. To do so they will need the support of the Queensland Rugby League, which has expressed concerns it will be the party to miss out due to the NRL's $20 million black hole.
There has been correspondence between Souths chairman Nick Pappas, who is representing the clubs, and QRL boss Bruce Hatcher in the lead-up to the meeting. The parties are hoping to resolve their differences, which include Queensland's concerns about the chairman having the casting vote in the event of a tied vote. Hatcher believes any motion should lapse if there isn't a consensus, particularly given the fact the clubs have spent the best part of two years attempting to spear Grant.
The other sticking point is direct representation of the state bodies on the commission. The NSWRL and QRL will be given a seat at the table for 18 months, a compromise after slashing the initial term from two years. After such time, the states are to appoint a replacement to represent their interests, although they cannot be a member of the NSWRL or QRL. Hatcher is asking that this system be reviewed after the first 12 months and the clubs may choose to accede given he has the whip hand in negotiations.
The funding set aside for digital strategy is likely to be a major talking point, as the clubs haven't been given any details about how the NRL intends to spend the money or its likely return on investment. There will also be discussion about the license agreements, which some clubs haven't signed until their funding is guaranteed.
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