The NRL will put forward a take-it-or-leave-it proposal to its broadcast partners at a meeting on Friday afternoon that will have huge ramifications on the immediate and long-term future of the sport.

Nine chief executive Hugh Marks and Foxtel boss Patrick Delany will be presented with the NRL's blueprint for the restructured 2020 season and then have to decide whether they are on board or willing to walk away from the current contract.

The Herald has been told by sources inside the negotiations that the NRL will recommend a season length and structure that starts on May 28, despite free-to-air partners Nine raising concerns with the "premature" resumption date on Thursday night.

Nine wants a 15-round season plus finals (two rounds already played), while Fox Sports is willing to allow play right up until November, with an entire 24-round competition completed as originally planned.