Where to for the NRL?

The NRL is currently facing an interesting dilemma and how it handles it will have a very significant impact of the future of Rugby League in Australia.

For too long now the implementation of an independent commission has been prolonged.  And now it looks like it will be delayed again.  And for what reason?  As usual it is over money, potential money.  The clubs all want a larger slice of the pie when the new TV rights are negotiated.  Fair enough.  But there is more to it than that. 

The clubs want what they think is a fair slice of the TV rights.  What is fair?  Should all teams get an equal share?  And what share should they get?  Well you can not ask for a set amount if the new deal is not done.  No point locking in too early.  The clubs have asked for an increase in the annual grant from $3.65 to 6 Million from next year.  Now that expected TV deal is said to be in the region of $1.4 billion.  Now if this potential figure is reached for a 4 year deal then the NRL would still have a billion dollars in its coffers.  Not a bad sum when they state they currently only have $18 million in reserves.  The NRL has stated that 14 of the 16 clubs are making losses in the region of $30 odd million.  Maybe the clubs should be forced to be viable before money is thrown at them.  There are many arguments that can be brought to the table but maybe the clubs should be asking for a percentage of the new deal not a set amount.  Could work out better, especially if a larger TV deal is made.
If the clubs want an independent commission maybe they should let that happen first and then work on deal for the share of the next TV deal.  What is the point of setting up an independent commission if all the negotiations and deals are done before it starts.

Do you throw bad money after bad?  What is the point of continuing to prop up teams that are making large losses?  Relocation has been hotly discussed but always rejected by clubs and fans.  We have a National competition with teams in Queensland (3), New South Wales (10), Victoria (1),  the ACT (1) and New Zealand (1).  This is where I will start my rant about too many Sydney teams and if you want a national competition then try and have a team in every state and if you have more than one team in a state , spread them out.  This is how you attract new fans and new sponsors to the game.  The Sharks could easily be relocated and set up as the Perth Sharks, there are suggestions they should move to the central coast which is viable as well.  Perth already has a good Rugby support so League would not find it hard to get going.  This rant though is destined for another day as it deserves a debate on its own,

This is an issue that pretty much everyone just wants sorted out otherwise the potential for a situation similar to the Super League is bound to happen.  Only this time I believe all the teams will jump ship and the Muppetman Gallop will be on his own.  Everyone involved needs to realise that the game is bigger then them.  The clubs need the competition and the competition needs the clubs.  But both need the fans.  Players come and go, coaches come and go and administration think they are the almighty but the fans are there every year.  Put a fan offside and they may never come back.  AFL has almost lost me as a fan through the way they run their game, change their rules and let certain influences have too much control.  Rugby League put many offside and arguments still rage over the Super League days, I do not want to see this debate start to destroy the game like it did back then.