SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 01: Channel 9 Wide World Of Sports commentators Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler talk during the round 26 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on September 1, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
A series of genuinely frightening and potentially game-changing reports broke yesterday.
If reports from multiple sources are to be believed, Channel 9 is placing pressure on the NRL to relocate a team to enable a second Brisbane side to enter the competition.
This is based on the next television deal and the obvious value a second Brisbane side would offer the broadcaster.
Truthfully, I am absolutely disgusted these reports ever saw the light of day as surely a broadcaster shouldn't be allowed such a huge say in the future of a code.
Surely ...
Channel 9 have referred to themselves as the home of rugby league for as long as I can remember. This is despite the network showing three games a week and persisting with a self-parody version of the "footy" show for years.
Meanwhile, Fox Sports dedicate an entire channel to the game, show every game live and dedicate literally hours and hours of programming each day to the game.
Fox has their obvious downfalls but Channel 9's statement always bothered me.
If the NRL brass are taking ANY consideration of Channel 9's ridiculous demand, the entire organisation needs to be sent packing.
An ivory tower Channel 9 executive should not EVER be in a position to affect the future of a club.
The Titans, Sharks and Sea Eagles are supposedly the three sides being mentioned as the potential relocations.
As a Sharks fan who has dedicated more hours than I care to admit to this club, I would be absolutely filthy if my club was relocated to line a few pockets.
Manly have had their struggles and believe me when I say no tears would be shed if they were to never win another game again, but not in a million years would I want them relocated.
To take clubs that have been around for literally 50+ years to appease a television partner who treats the product as an afterthought? ... The NRL need to release a statement NOW to distance themselves from this filth.
The Titans have obvious problems on and off the park, and I know they're only an hour or so from Brisbane etc.
A short shift up the highway makes sense, but that should purely be an NRL decision and have absolutely nothing to do with a broadcaster.
Seriously, how is this even being discussed?
What's stopping Channel 7 from coming in, throwing in a few extra mil a season and demanding the banning of tackling?
Or Channel 10 winning the rights and deciding to make the NRL a reality show!?
Both scenarios are absolutely ridiculous but neither is any more ridiculous than a club being shifted just to suit ratings.
I've long been against relocation.
Doesn't work!
Broncos fans won't jump in huge numbers to a second team. Especially if it's the relocated Titans.
I guarantee you the huge majority of Sharks fans would brush a club shifted to suit television.
I wouldn't support them. I'd dedicate every waking moment to bringing down the NRL... That isn't hyperbole.
What a seriously ridiculous and offensive idea.
Channel 9, stay away from our game.
Show the games at the advertised time. Stop insisting on a Thursday night fixture.
I honestly don't think the NRL leaders will give this a second thought, but what if they do?
They'll be selling the soul of the game. Literally affecting the lives of supporters and players and other stakeholders of an entire club.
Imagine putting a jersey on your young son and daughter only later having to explain no more games at the local stadium because some multi-millionaire at Channel 9 wants an extra 10k viewers on a Friday evening.
I've never heard such ridiculousness, and again, I'm a Sharks fan.
I expect an NRL release by the time this is published, rubbishing the link.
If not, serious questions need to be asked why an organisation with zero interest in the game gets a say before a contract is even signed.
If 9 want that say, take a few extra million and sign with 7.
Might get an Origin that kicks off before midnight.