A furious NRL boss has threatened to move the grand final to Brisbane from Sydney as his stoush with the NSW government over stadiums escalates.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’Landys has fired an ominous warning to Dominic Perrottet that rugby league’s biggest showpiece could head to Queensland for a second consecutive year.
The NRL is at loggerheads with the state government over funding for suburban grounds, sparking a showdown between Mr V’Landys and the Premier who will meet on Friday.
Mr V’Landys said the NRL grand final is up for grabs until his demands are met.
‘We just want our suburban stadiums in NSW, we want that tribalalism to occur to walk to the games,’ he told the Today show on Friday.
‘We want those promises honoured by the NSW government. If they don’t we’ll take it elsewhere.’
Today host Karl Stefanovic’s suggested the demands were ‘almost bribery’ but Mr V’Landys said they had a deal with the state government.
‘The deal it was they would spend $800 million on stadiums but rather than spending it on ANZ Stadium or Accor stadium as it’s now known, we want it spent on suburban stadiums,’ he continued.
‘We want to build that tribalism, where games can be held. The government agrees with it but are so slow to move. We want ink on paper, that agreement in writing.
‘Until we get that the grand final is up for grabs.’
He’s hopeful of resolving the issue when he sits down with Mr Perrottet on Friday as he took another swipe at the
‘I’m hoping he actually speeds it up today because he as a can-do man.
‘You have to look at the other states how much they are investing in events.
The NSW Government has an event on its doorstep they can’t get that.
‘Victoria is picking up all these events that are contributing millions and tens of millions to the local community.’
More to come
Source: DailyMail
