NRL confirm record breaking $5.3 billion TV rights deal

With the NRL securing the biggest TV rights deal in Australian sporting history, Peter V’Landys has set his ambition on growing the game beyond these borders.

On Tuesday, the ARLC confirmed that it had signed a seven-year deal worth $5.3 billion, beginning in 2028, with the current incumbents: Nine Entertainment, Foxtel (now owned by DAZN), and Sky NZ.

While they have the same partners, the NRL will get a larger split of the revenue, with the competition set to receive 95 per cent of the cash from this deal (up from 90 per cent in the previous deal signed in 2020), with the remaining five per cent through contra.

The ARLC has also confirmed that they will have control over the season structure and draw for the competition.

In a statement, the ARLC Chairman was proud to have produced such a big outcome.

“Today marks a defining moment for rugby league,” V’Landys said.

“The Commission has worked hard in the last five years to make the game more entertaining for our fans, effectively doubling our audience. Our Players and Clubs that made this possible will now be justifiably rewarded.

“This agreement is the largest commercial deal ever secured by an Australian sport, but its significance goes well beyond the financial outcome.

“It returns the draw back to the NRL and will ensure fair and equitable scheduling for all Clubs. It also gives us greater flexibility to shape the future of the game and ensures more fans can access rugby league than ever before.

“We entered these negotiations with a clear objective — secure long-term growth while retaining control of the things that matter most. We have achieved that outcome.”

During his press conference, he reconfirmed his desire to expand the NRL’s reach, in particular with DAZN.

“It future proofs (the competition) for the next 20 to 50 years,” V’Landys elaborated.

“Because this will enable us to buy assets and continue to grow the game. But more importantly, it gives us the platform not only to grow the game here in Australia, but globally.

“Our ambition is to grow the game globally, and with these additional funds, we'll be able to achieve that in all parts of the world. Part of the deal has been that with DAZN, we've done a deal where there are 400 million subscribers to DAZN that Rugby League will be marketed to.

“So that's a very important element for us, is that this isn't just about growing it in Australia. This is about growing it in all markets around the world.

“The 5.3 billion over the seven years does not include that potential growth in the international market. We believe that the 5.3 (billion) will increase substantially once we start our global ambitions.”

The deal concludes in 2034.