PETER V’LANDYS hailed “a defining moment for rugby league” after locking in a new NRL TV rights deal until the end of 2034 that will be the richest in Australian sporting history.
Fox Sports and Nine will retain the broadcasting rights in a deal worth A$5.3 billion.
That figure eclipses the current A$4.5 billion deal, also for seven years, agreed by the Australian Football League in 2022.
A deal has also been agreed for Sky Sports to show over 130 matches per year in New Zealand.
The contract begins in 2028, with 95 percent of the deal in cash – compared to 90 percent last time – rather than contra-money used for advertising and promotion.
Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V’landys said: “This hasn’t been an accident.
“This has been achieved by some very hard working. In the past five years, we have changed the game, effectively doubling the audience.
“I give credit to everyone involved in the game. That was our strategy. Before we went to market we needed to have something to sell.”
The deal is equivalent to around A$750 million (£380 million) per year, up from around A$400 million under the current contracts.
The uplift is likely as a result of increased competition for broadcast rights.
Both Foxtel and Nine were, at one point, trying to battle the other for exclusive rights, whilst Amazon Prime were also said to be interested.
“I don’t want to breach any commercial sensitivies, but up until late last night, we were still negotiating. Until the execution of that contract, all parties were in play,” V’landys continued.
“I want to thank all the other parties, especially Amazon. They changed the course of the negotiations.”
The deal contrasts sharply with the current figure of around £21.5 million that Super League receives from Sky Sports, although Rugby Football League officials are hoping that that figure will increase significantly with a new deal from next year, with negotiations due to be completed later this month.
The RFL have been in negotiations with the NRL in recent months over a potential partnership, and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo says the southern hemipshere is now well positioned to invest in every area of the game, including internationally.
“This (TV) agreement reflects the strength of rugby league today and confidence in where the game can go next,” said Abdo.
“It is the result of years of planning, discipline and execution by the Commission as we positioned the game to maximise its value in a rapidly changing media landscape.
“The outcome gives us the certainty, flexibility and resources to pursue ambitious growth opportunities across every level of the game.
“In particular, more investment than ever will go into grassroots and community football to drive participation and ensure all levels of the game flourish.
“Rugby league is now in the best possible position for further expansion and continued growth from a community level through to the international stage.”