Is the NRL right to offer its current 16 clubs permanent places in the competition?

Clubs have reportedly accepted, in principle, an advance of $1.125 million each which will take the form of a loan until the new licensing agreements can be agreed upon. These licences grant the teams franchises "in perpetuity". There is still much work to do before the 16 clubs and headquarters can agree on these agreements, however.

But just as Brexit was supposedly a "no turning back" watershed, will this agreement permanently stymie the game from reaching its potential in a crowded Australian sports market?

One club split between Wollongong and southern Sydney and eight others in the Emerald City seems fair enough right now. It's a configuration that has brought in $2 billion in TV rights and it certainly does not preclude other teams being added.