14 Apr 2020

ARL happy with talks with broadcaster over return of NRL

11:06 pm on 14 April 2020

ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys has been buoyed by the support offered by Channel Nine boss Hugh Marks after they met on Tuesday.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys.

Peter V'landys Photo: PHOTOSPORT

V'landys issued a statement after his catch-up with Marks to discuss how the NRL would reschedule its season in the wake of the hiatus brought about last month by the coronavirus pandemic.

The NRL has proposed to restart the Premiership on May 28 but V'landys has said the details of how the competition would be structured won't be finalised until he's sorted them out with the game's broadcast partners, Nine and Fox Sports.

"Today Nine CEO Hugh Marks and I had a constructive and co-operative meeting about rugby league in 2020 and beyond. I am buoyed by Mr Marks' support of rugby league and his commitment to the game," V'landys said in his statement.

"The meeting provided us with the opportunity to outline our positions and discuss next steps to navigate this crisis.

"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.

"Our next meeting, where we will endeavour to construct a road map for the game this year, must include Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany."

-NRL