NRL clubs are set to receive a much-needed boost with the ARLC approving a total of $7 million in COVID-19 relief packages.
Nine NRL reporter Danny Weidler broke the news on Thursday evening.
https://twitter.com/Danny_Weidler/status/1438384460462899200
Around the NRL, clubs, as well as the league itself, have been devastated by the loss of revenue from the impact of the pandemic. Lockdowns, loss of home games, crowd restrictions as well as the relocation of the competition interstate has strained finances.
Under the NRL’s relief package each club that lost a home game due to relocation or crowd bans from the pandemic will be paid approximately $100,000 per game.
It’s estimated that the NRL has lost $30 million in revenue and several million more due to the relocation to Queensland to complete the 2021 season amid lockdowns around the country.
Though games in Queensland have allowed fans to attend, many regional fixtures have had reduced crowds, meaning money lost at the gates for the NRL.
Earlier on Thursday the NRL announced the Dally M Awards would be a new-look affair in Brisbane due to the pandemic.
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It will now feature two special events culminating in an awards ceremony on Monday, September 27, where the winner of the Dally M Medal will be announced, along with other major awards such as the Team of the Year.
More than 30,000 tickets have been sold for the NRL grand final which will be held outside of NSW for the first time, with Suncorp Stadium to host the finale.