ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has described crucial talks with Nine Network chief executive Hugh Marks as “constructive and cooperative” on Tuesday.
The NRL and its free-to-air broadcast partner have sought a meeting with Foxtel before deciding the next step to resume this year’s competition, which was suspended amid the coronavirus crisis.
It remains unclear what a restructured season will look like and what the broadcasters will be expected to pay for the rest of this year’s campaign.
“Today Nine CEO Hugh Marks and I had a constructive meeting about rugby league in 2020 and beyond,” V’landys said on Tuesday afternoon.
“I am buoyed by Mr Marks’ support of rugby league and his commitment to the game.
“The meeting provided us with the opportunity to outline our positions and discuss next steps to navigate this crisis.”
The next step will be discussions with Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany.
There is widespread speculation Nine is eager to renegotiate the current broadcast deal, which involves Fox Sports simulcasting all eight games each week.
There are suggestions that Nine is eager to extend its current deal with the NRL, albeit at a reduced rate while V’landys is confident of continuing a longstanding partnership.
“We are both focused on the long-term success of the game and while there is more work to do, I am optimistic we will find a way through this together,” he said.
“Our next meeting, where we will endeavour to construct a road map for the game this year, must include Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany.”
Tuesday’s meetings come days after Nine launched an extraordinary attack on the NRL, accusing it of financial mismanagement and breaching its broadcast deal.
Earlier on Tuesday, Nine commentator and former premiership-winning coach Phil Gould urged his employer and the league to discuss a long-term a plan.
The current broadcast agreement, which includes Nine reportedly paying $125 million a year for FTA rights, is due to expire at the end of the 2022 season.
“I have great confidence in the NRL chairman Peter V’landys and I think their meetings will be quite significant in the future of the game,” Gould said.
“They have to work out a long-term plan as well as what they do in the short-term, and I think they are the two best people to do it.”