NRL grand final hosting decision looms
Scott Bailey |
The NRL is seriously considering moving the grand final to Queensland amid fears the NSW government will opt against upgrading several suburban stadiums.
The league is yet to begin selling tickets for this year’s decider as negotiations linger over stadium strategy.
A resolution is expected as soon as Tuesday afternoon, but the news may not be good for Sydney NRL fans.
Sports Minister Stuart Ayers said on radio on Tuesday morning the state had limitations on stadia spending, and further projects may have to wait.
The NRL signed a deal in 2018 with the NSW government to keep the game’s showpiece event in Sydney until 2042.
However that contract was based on Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park being upgraded to a rectangular venue.
That $800 million rebuild was put off through COVID, giving the NRL the power to make the contract null-and-void.
The league then pushed for a significant amount of the money to be switched toward upgrades of suburban grounds, with around $300 million already locked in for Penrith.
The NRL expected the remainder of the money to be spent on grounds such as Brookvale Oval, Leichhardt Oval and Shark Park.
Likewise, Cronulla are not yet compliant to host NRL/NRLW double-headers next year with their dressing-room set up, despite being awarded a women’s team.
Both the NRL and NSW premier Dominic Perrottet were confident a deal would be struck after they met over in the matter in April, however that is now looking less likely.
Ayers on Tuesday refused to buy into speculation a decision had already been made, or that the state was at risk of losing the decider to Queensland.
“As I understand the premier is still engaging directly with the NRL. These are ongoing discussions,” Ayers told 2GB.
“I think it’s really important that we continue to remind everyone that our government has invested substantially.
“We have been really clear with the NRL with the limitations that exist on our budget. We have come through COVID, we have also invested substantially (in sport).”
Ayers pointed to money spent on rebuilding CommBank and Allianz Stadium, as well as the commitment made to his own electorate in Penrith.
“That reflects our three-city strategy. We have invested substantially in centres of excellence,” Ayers said.
“We have invested well in excess of $1.5 billion, part of that is to say we would like to have a long-term commitment from the NRL with the grand final.
“I think there comes a point where you have to be able to say we have invested enough in sporting infrastructure.
“And when we’ve got the capacity to invest in more sporting infrastructure in the future, there is no reason why we won’t.
“But we always have competing priorities. We have just had COVID, we’ve had substantial flood impacts that have put more pressure on the budget.”
Brisbane hosted its first grand final last year due to Sydney’s COVID lockdown, and the Queensland government has long been keen to lure the event north.
AAP
