Codes hide behind the “commercial in confidence” clause but are happy to trumpet their record TV deals. So, if the AFL is paid $2.5 billion over six years and the NRL $1.8 billion over five years and they receive their money every three months, then both codes have already had $90m to $100m deposited in their bank accounts. They need to be playing on April 1 when they will have received half their yearly payment, otherwise their cash reserves will be rapidly exhausted. Round 2 of the NRL kicked off in front of an empty ANZ Stadium on Thursday night. Credit:Getty Rugby Australia is in a more perilous position because it could be asked to refund upwards of $20m. RA has no immediate opportunity to stage international matches because New Zealand, which fields five teams in the SANZAAR competition, was the first nation in the world to close its borders. Furthermore, RA and Fox Sports now have an antagonistic relationship, following RA’s decision six months ago to reject an offer from their 25-year partner to renew the broadcast rights which end this season.

The current deal is $US25m a year, paid quarterly. Had it been renewed when the Australian dollar was considerably higher than its present US60 cents, presumably RA would now be in a more secure and wealthier position. However, a source insists the way the Fox offer was structured meant RA would not have benefited from the shift in the value of the greenback. Despite the rancour between RA and Fox, insiders insist there is little chance Foxtel chief Patrick Delany will demand a return of the money already advanced. Given the parlous state of RA finances, it could bankrupt the domestic code and Delany has demonstrated a duty of care to Australian sport, evidenced by a long-term generosity to a restructured FFA. The sound and the fury: Richmond and Carlton in action at an empty MCG. Credit:AAP In any case, the classic conditions for trade between the two parties exist: each has what the other wants. RA needs money and Fox wants live content. Negotiations are currently underway to deliver both to conclude the existing contract. Given there is a limit to the number of times fans will watch Australia’s four Super Rugby franchises play each other, especially interest in the northern states when the Rebels play the Brumbies for the third time, discussions have produced some novel suggestions. A State of Origin type format, where NSW plays Queensland, could be resurrected, or an innovative domestic competition created.

Loading While all sport has been savaged by the coronavirus, RA’s critics suggest the pandemic has rescued the code’s negotiators, allowing them to announce a postponement of negotiations for the next TV rights deal because RA had no viable bidder. RA reject this, claiming to being a victim of bad timing. Bids were to close this week. “If they had closed a week earlier, we would have been in a good position,” an insider said. Yet their critics maintain that RA has had six months to conclude a deal with Optus Sports, or another party, following the breakdown in talks with Fox. Fox might be aggrieved with RA but the pay TV network can’t be accused of posturing. It is paying interest to banks on money already advanced to RA, forcing it into savage cost cutting and layoffs. It obviously can’t make extravagant offers.