NSW Gov wants 2/3rds of NRL games to be played at big three venues
Fairfax media is reporting that the state government is in negotiations with all major sporting franchises over content agreements to ensure that a sufficient number of games will be secured for the three stadiums undertaking major works.
Fairfax says based on current venue allocation figures, about 15 games currently being played at suburban stadiums will have to move to the big three in order for the figures to stack up. That will raise further questions about the long-term viability of ageing grounds including Leichhardt, Brookvale and Jubilee ovals. Those boutique venues are struggling to remain of NRL standard and have no chance of procuring state government funding, which has been redirected towards the larger stadiums.
Further, News Limited reports that the SCG Trust’s desperate attempt to win over the NRL appears to be faltering after eight of the nine Sydney clubs distanced themselves from a move to a rebuilt Allianz Stadium — tipping the scales in favour of ANZ Stadium in the stoush to gain the lion’s share of the state government’s $1.6 billion stadium funding.
The Australian says that Canterbury and South Sydney have made it clear that their preference is to remain at ANZ Stadium, where both have long-term deals in place. Wests Tigers also have a deal in place to play games at ANZ Stadium for the next seven years, although that number is likely to increase in coming years as the club looks to shore up its financial future.
