The Dolphins are the NRL's 17th club

[Mr Bods]

Fingers Crossed that if there’s expansion that it is Redcliffe.
It won’t cannibalise our turf.

[Titanic]

If there is further expansion in QLD after the ‘Fins then it shouldn’t be Brisbane based but rather CQ or the western corridor. For me bring on the Perth franchise.

[Hail Sezer]

Fingers Crossed that if there’s expansion that it is Redcliffe.
It won’t cannibalise our turf.

With News Ltd taking a stake they'll do everything to make sure the market share they take is not from the Broncos

[DIEHARD]

NRL expansion official: Peter V’landys locks in 17th team for 2023 in fiery meeting
https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/

Brisbane will have a second team in 2023 — but it was only approved after a fiery meeting between Peter V’Landys and club bosses.

It’s official. Brisbane will have a second team in 2023 after the NRL today announced a $50 million surplus.

In a landmark development, News Corp can reveal NRL expansion is going ahead with ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys informing the 16 clubs of the financial goldmine that will enable the governing body to proceed with a 17-team competition.

V’landys briefed the code’s chief executive and chairs of the NRL’s strong financial position at a high-powered meeting on Thursday, which included a $50m profit on top of the code’s beefed-up $100m broadcast deal with Pay TV partner Foxtel.

The code’s chief executives and chairs concluded talks under no illusions the code is ready to push on with a second Brisbane team to rival the Broncos in rugby league’s most significant expansionary move since the birth of the Titans in 2007.

There was some robust discussion around future funding to the clubs, who were seeking an extra $1.5 million, totalling $24 million, plus some additional money in the form of a licence for the 17th team.

V’landys made it clear the new Brisbane team will not be paying a licence fee, although he pointed out the 16 clubs will benefit financiallly by the extra millions a 17th franchise will generate for the code.

That sentiment is underlined by News Corp exclusively revealing that the NRL has agreed terms on a five-year deal with Pay TV partner Foxtel worth up to $100 million to fund an expanded competition.

That cash injection — backed by the NRL’s handsome profit for the 2020-21 financial year — will ensure the code can bankroll a 17th team without eroding the financial grants to the existing clubs.

The 16 clubs were hoping for an extra $1 million each as part of the ARL Commission’s expansion objectives, prompting what was described as some “grandstanding” at the meeting by at least two chief executives.

But V’landys is pressing ahead with rugby league’s first expansionary move in 14 years.

The one certainty is Queensland will have a fourth NRL team from 2023, with the Expansion Assessment Committee to meet on Friday to discuss the merits of the three bid consortia the Firehawks, Jets and Dolphins.

It is understood the EAC will make a recommendation on the winning bid to the ARL Commission, who will formally rubber-stamp Brisbane’s new team early next week.

The Dolphins are the front-runners to clinch the 17th licence, but the Firehawks and Jets are refusing to give up hope of growing the code in Brisbane’s western corridor.

Despite his side potentially being vulnerable to attack, Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp has thrown his support behind the ARL Commission, describing a second Brisbane team is a “no-brainer”.

“Absolutely there is room for a second Brisbane team,” Tripp said.

“If I wasn’t chairman of the Melbourne Storm and I was Matt Tripp the rugby league fan and someone said to me should there be a second club in Brisbane, I would say yes, 100 per cent.

“Of course those comments might be to the short-term detriment of the Storm but taking a long-term view, I don’t think it will be detrimental at all.

“Expansion will be great for the game. While the talent pool will be thin for a period, as long as the game continues to evolve and improve and stay an elite sport in this country, it will then warrant better broadcast deals, better sponsorship, all the things that can drive revenue and bring people to the game.

“The salary cap will increase and more people will want to play the game. There will be a knock-on effect.

“If the foundations are right and the game is being handled right at the top, which it is in my opinion, the NRL is ready for a second Brisbane team.”

Revelations that the NRL is formally expanding will have the 16 clubs on red alert with a market frenzy set to kick-off as the new Brisbane franchise begins the search to sign 30 players for their foundation roster.

CLUB SHOWDOWN: D-DAY FOR EXPANSION

— Peter Badel, Brent Read and Travis Meyn

Time to put up or shut up. Expansion is set to face its final multimillion-dollar hurdle on Thursday as the NRL prepare for a showdown with their clubs over plans to add a 17th team in 2023.

The commission has vowed to provide some insight at the meeting on the game’s finances, negotiations over a new deal with the Nine Network, and most importantly, some clarity around the financial implications of adding a new team.

The clubs’ response could torpedo expansion at the 11th hour, although the expectation is that NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys will leave the meeting intent on adding another side in south-east Queensland.

Senior figures in clubland on Wednesday confirmed that they would arrive at the meeting with an open mind, although other sources close to the clubs said they wouldn’t be surprised if there were fireworks.

The push for expansion is expected to be strengthened by revelations that the game has enjoyed a surprisingly bumper financial year. After losing money in 2020, the NRL is poised to inform the clubs that they have recorded a significant surplus, no doubt in part because last year’s State of Origin series fell into this financial year.

With the game back in the black, it should mean Abdo and V’landys are armed with the financial artillery to assuage any concerns of clubs over the impact of expansion on their own finances.

“I think every chairman and CEO should go in with the open mind,” Brisbane chair Karl Morris said. “There are really only two aspects to it. One, is the benefit to the game. I think we’re still waiting to see how the 17th team will benefit.

“Secondly, it is the financial benefit overall for expansion — if it grows the participants and the interest in rugby league.”

Gold Coast chair Dennis Watt added: “We welcome the commission honouring its commitment to take the clubs through the case.

“There is always an imperative there to grow the pie and not shrink the pie in terms of the overall good of the game. I think everyone is prepared to listen to the case as it is put forward. At the end of the day, the clubs just want to see the rubber hit the road.

“The commission has been working hard behind the scenes with the broadcasters to shape up the case for expansion. It will be good to see the results of all their hard work.”

The commission is understood to have agreed terms on a deal with News Corp Australia that will generate an additional $100 million in broadcasting money over the five years from 2023 to help cover the cost of a 17th team.

That alone was expected to ease the expense of adding a new team, although the existing clubs also believe they are owed at least $24 million a year in extra funding from 2023 under the terms of a pre-existing agreement.

Both the clubs and the NRL have taken legal advice on the agreement, which was struck five years ago. The clubs say the clause is still binding. The NRL argue otherwise.

The disagreement is expected to be resolved on Thursday. A final resolution on expansion is expected to open the floodgates on player signings as the 17th team targets some of the biggest names in the game.

Some clubs are more vulnerable than others. The Melbourne Storm have a handful of their highest-profile figures off contract at the end of 2022, meaning the expansion side will be able to speak to them from November 1.

Queensland star Christian Welch and the Bromwich brothers — Kenny and Jesse — are among the players up for grabs. The likelihood is that the 17th side will also pursue Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster.

[DIEHARD]

NRL to officially expand to 17 teams, $50m profit posted
http://www.smh.com.au

The NRL will officially expand its competition to include a 17th team, although the clubs are calling for a bigger share of the spoils after the game announced a $50 million surplus.

The Redcliffe Dolphins are expected to beat the Firehawks and Jets to become the next franchise in 2023 after broadcasters felt the inclusion will add value to their product.

The clubs were told the cost of having an additional club would be $15 million per year, which would be offset by the $20 million per annum that Foxtel were prepared to pay with an extra Brisbane team.

That would allow the 16 existing teams to receive additional funds in the future, allaying fears the size of the revenue pie would be sliced up thinner between them.

The new club will be required to have a $10 million bank guarantee per annum over the next five years to ensure it can stand on its own feet. The 17th team will not get any additional funds over the existing ones in order to start up.

There will be 12 additional games per season as a result of the inclusion of an extra team, with every side to get two byes.

The clubs were also told Rugby League Central was close to securing a new free-to-air deal, understood to be with the Nine network, the publishers of this masthead.

Had COVID-19 costs of $30 million not been incurred, the game would have made $80 million over the last financial year.

The NRL cut costs by $55 million to be able to distribute $376 million across the game. However, some clubs believe they should be given more money in order to grow their own businesses.

[DIEHARD]

One interesting problem has been mentioned.

What happens to Magic Round with an odd number of teams?

[JunctionBlock]

One interesting problem has been mentioned.

What happens to Magic Round with an odd number of teams?

We'll get the bye. We're either the team that plays Thursday or the team that plays last on a Sunday when the field is buggered and the fans are gone

[Titanic]

They'll add an invitational team I'd think ... just like magic.

[DIEHARD]

NRL expansion: Firehawks, Jets and Dolphins make final pitch to become 17th team in 2023
https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/

The Firehawks and Jets will get one last crack at dislodging the Dolphins in the battle to become Brisbane’s second NRL team in 2023.

The NRL will seek final responses from their expansion hopefuls as the Firehawks and Jets get one last crack at dislodging the Dolphins in the battle to become Brisbane’s second team in 2023.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo will request further information from the Jets, Firehawks and Dolphins following a Friday meeting of the Expansion Assessment Committee.

The NRL will officially launch a 17th club in 2023 and the EAC spent around 90 minutes discussing the merits of the three bid consortia.

Abdo is part of the Expansion Committee, which includes ARLC boss Peter V’landys, and the NRL CEO will contact the bid rivals seeking a final instalment of information ahead of the ARL Commission announcing the winning bid next week.

Effectively, the Jets and Firehawks have arrived at the last-chance saloon. They have 48 hours to table fresh evidence as to why they deserve to be Brisbane’s second team as the ARL Commission edges closer to unveiling the Redcliffe-backed Dolphins as the NRL’s 17th franchise.

The development comes as the Jets hit out at speculation they cannot meet the NRL’s $10 million bank guarantee, with a Brisbane-based white knight coming on board on Wednesday with a multimillion-dollar financial commitment.

Brisbane Jets bid chief Nick Livermore confirmed the fresh investment and said the western-corridor bid is armed with $24 million in private equity as the expansion race enters the home straight.

“The NRL should have zero concerns about us,” Livermore said.

“I appreciate this is a huge decision for the game.

“If the NRL is required to reach out again to make sure our information is understood, I’m happy to have another conversation with them.

“I can confirm a prominent company, based in Brisbane, has come forward and injected substantial additional capital into the bid to go beyond what is required from the NRL.

“The NRL requested a $10 million bank guarantee and we have got more than that.

“We have informed the NRL in recent days that we have $24 million in private-equity backing with $12 million in the bank that is ready to go immediately.

“The Brisbane Jets bid is entirely sustainable. We would not go broke. In fact, we have firmed up our position.

“We have been involved in the expansion process for 10 years. No one understands the expansion landscape in Brisbane better than we do so if the Commission has more queries, we’re happy to provide it.”

According to documents filed by the Redcliffe football club, the Dolphins empire has assets of $73.5 million as of September 30, 2020. They have loans totalling $13.2 million, leaving the Dolphins with a formidable net asset base of $59.1 million.

Redcliffe’s football arm has $1.8 million in cash reserves, while the Firehawks claim to have $80m in assets with $25m in the bank and no debt.

Based on those figures, the Firehawks have usurped Redcliffe as the richest of the three bids, but the Dolphins possess a gymnasium and aquatic facility valued at $30 million and a shopping centre on land owned by the club.

Dolphins bid chief Terry Reader dismissed suggestions Redcliffe cannot be beaten by the Jets and Firehawks in the battle for the NRL’s 17th licence.

“The Dolphins persist in taking nothing for granted,” he said.

“We will continue to work in the background to be ready to enter the NRL competition as early as 2023 if our bid is successful.

“Obviously the Dolphins NRL bid team, the Dolphins club and its supporters are excited by reports of an impending (expansion) announcement, but we respect the NRL’s desired process.

“Analysis also demonstrates that the Dolphins will also have the least material impact on the current fanbase and operations of the Brisbane Broncos and the Gold Coast Titans.

“The Dolphins have the strongest financial backing of any bid, including an established club with a diversified business model and over $100 million in assets.

“We are confident that our pitch provides the necessary peace of mind, stability and confidence for the NRL to expand the game with the Dolphins.”

[DIEHARD]

NRL expansion: Wayne Bennett confirms interest in coaching new Brisbane team
https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/

Wayne Bennett says he is ready to sign with a second Brisbane team, but has warned the NRL’s 17th franchise of the perils of trying to take on the might of the Broncos.

As the ARL Commission prepares to announce the winning expansion licence this week, Bennett revealed he is prepared to put consultancy offers on hold in the hope of spearheading a new Brisbane outfit.

The super coach, who turns 72 in January, spoke of the challenges facing a second Brisbane team, and the mistakes they must avoid following the death of the South Queensland Crushers in 1997.

For the first time in 45 years, Bennett is currently out of work.

His status as South Sydney coach ceased after last Sunday’s grand-final loss to Penrith, prompting Bennett to return to his family farm in Warwick, tending to his cows, as a free agent.

He won’t need a trip to Centrelink. The NRL’s three prospective franchises - the Firehawks, Jets and Dolphins - all have Bennett on their hit list and the winning Brisbane bid will almost certainly unveil the seven-time premiership winner as their foundation coach for 2023.

Bennett insists he has no allegiance to any bid, but if the expansion mail is right, he will be the inaugural coach of the NRL’s Dolphins.

“I will say this - I am certainly interested in being part of a new Brisbane team and I will be happy to have talks with whoever that may be,” Bennett said ahead of the ARL’s historic announcement this week.

“I am just awaiting the outcome of the ARL Commission’s decision.

“I have no bias to any bid. If any of the three bid teams want to talk, I’m available.

“I’m a free agent right now.”

The veteran of 890 NRL games has fielded some inquiries to operate as a mentor for emerging coaches. South Sydney are also keen for Bennett to continue as a Queensland-based consultant, but intriguingly, the Maroons are silent.

The Queensland Rugby League is on the lookout for a senior advisor to rookie Origin coach Billy Slater, but Bennett has had no dialogue with Camp Maroon.

“No-one has asked me about helping Queensland,” said Bennett, who led the Maroons to the greatest series boilover in Origin’s 41-year history last November.

“I can’t commit to something no-one approached me about.

“If someone wants to pick the phone up and talk to me about helping them that’s up to Billy Slater and what his plans are.

“I’ve had some offers to work with some coaches and do some consultancy, but I haven’t decided on anything yet.

“I will wait for this expansion process goes and where it finishes up.”

The second Brisbane team will be operational from November 1. If Bennett is hired as head coach, he will hit the ground running, talking to player managers, assessing potential recruits, implementing structures and constructing the 30-man full-time roster to ensure the second Brisbane team is competitive from day one.

There is a view the second Brisbane team will not have enough lead-in time to piece together a competitive roster for 2023, but Bennett disagrees.

“I don’t think the NRL would be rushing a new team (for 2023),” he said.

“We still have another 12 months before the second Brisbane team starts their pre-season. That’s plenty of time to sign players and get things right, you would be laughing.

“I won’t be coaching next year. You would be building the team and putting the structures in.

“If it was Redcliffe, for example, you would work with their state league squad a little bit, but I won’t be a full-time coach next year.

“I know exactly what to do because I did it with the Broncos.

“With the Broncos, I walked out of Canberra (as co-coach) and straight into the Broncos job.

“Canberra played in the grand final in late September and I went up to the 33rd floor of that massive building in Eagle St in Brisbane where the stockbrokers are.

“Paul Morgan (Broncos founder) had his stockbroking business there and that was my first office at the Broncos.

“You can negotiate with players from the 1st of November, so it’s plenty of time.

“The original Broncos had a huge headstart because they had all the Brisbane-based stars like Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Greg Dowling and Greg Conescu who were all Origin players. They had a ready-made type of team.

“This team will have to be brought together by guys out of the 16 clubs.

“That’s the big challenge. But the beauty of it all is you have a clean sheet of paper. You have a blank canvas. You can build your own culture and create your own culture.

“The most important people to employ are the staff right across the football department, from trainers, to assistant coaches, everybody who is involved in football.”

Bennett said he believed the new team would not impact on the Broncos in terms of fan support and sponsorships.

“The Broncos won’t be affected. They’ve had a 30-year headstart in this market,” he said.

“The Crushers’ mistake was that they tried to be too much like the Broncos.

“There will never be another club like the Broncos, simple as that, so the marketplace in Brisbane can be great if a second team comes in with the attitude that they will create their own identity.

“A second Brisbane team cannot look over their shoulders at the Broncos.

“It’s magnificent for Queensland and the rugby league fans up here to be getting another team.

“It’s also great for the Queensland Origin team. It means there will be more opportunities for Queensland kids and we need more representation for the Maroons.

Decision time: NRL’s expansion plan faces final hurdleWanted: Queenslanders with talent
“It will give Origin more certainty as time goes on.

“We have so few players in the NRL who are eligible for Queensland, it’s around 22 per cent, so we need the Maroons to stay competitive in the Origin arena.”

[Mr Bods]

Congratulations to Redcliffe.
I do believe it’s the best outcome for us.

[Hail Sezer]

Most deserving of the bunch and I think they'll be able to put together a decent roster with Bennett the inaugral coach. Their home turf is great too and I hope one day Burleigh takes on a project similar, so we have a boutique suburban alternative.

I'm interested to see how they prioritise pathway systems and junior development as you can't afford to neglect them like we did, and ended up paying overs for short-term fly-ins, retirement contracts, and have players that have no emotional investment in the club or region. Took us over 10 years to get that right (circa 2018) and we're starting to reap the rewards of it now.

All the best to them and I'll be watching with a keen interest. Bennett will do everything in his power to pull the rug from under the Broncos too..

[Mr Bods]

They’ve dropped the name Redcliffe and are “The Dolphins”.
What’s going on with that?

[Titanic]

They plan to run a competition to determine their geographic moniker.

[DIEHARD]

They’ve dropped the name Redcliffe and are “The Dolphins”.
What’s going on with that?

Yea it seems there is a lot of confusion over this.

1. The Dolphins have previously said they will run a survey of supporters to narrow the field on names.
2. NRL CEO Andrew Abdo stated and reiterated that they would be "The Dolphins" and said this was a joint decision etc because they want to represent more than one area.
3. Most recently, Peter V’landys said the following. Which seems more on point.

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys added: “They have agreed to work with NRL management on the branding exercise and that was one of the conditions of their entry.

“At the moment, they sought to be called just the Dolphins and we accepted that. We’ll be seeking fan feedback, we will do a study with the supporters and their feelings will be considered, absolutely.”

I think they need to drop Redcliffe. But I appreciate how the club framed it as "The Broncos have Red Hill. We have Redcliffe. It's our home." That is me paraphrasing.

I do think they need some type of geographic name. I would support Moreton Bay Dolphins (Perhaps that doesn't have the northern geographic reach that the NRL are considering.)