Broadcast options for Australian Rugby

[PhilClinton]

Whilst I agree that we can't be looking over our shoulder at the NRL and putting in direct comparisons all the time, we need to accept they're nailing the entertainment side of sports and take some inspiration.

The two biggest innovations the NRL have produced in their game lately are Magic Round and NRL Vegas. Both of which absolute kill it on the fan engagement side of things.

Meanwhile, Super Round from an entertainment venue experience is a flop. And it doesn't help putting it on the same weekend as NRL Vegas either, that needs to be changed going forward.

 

[HooperPocockSmith]

in 10 years time we will look back at this Vegas venture as nothing more than an expensive way to kick off the season. I don’t see how they can promote it (short of very, very expensive marketing campaigns) to the US public over the next 12 months to make a tangible effect on viewership and wagering

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

in 10 years time we will look back at this Vegas venture as nothing more than an expensive way to kick off the season. I don’t see how they can promote it (short of very, very expensive marketing campaigns) to the US public over the next 12 months to make a tangible effect on viewership and wagering

Particularly as for all that lay out of cost they only saw 61k for the first game and 42k for the second.

 

[HooperPocockSmith]

We tend to overestimate how much space we occupy in the conscience of Americans. Which for the vast majority is nothing more than a meme about kangaroos.

 

[LeCheese]

We tend to overestimate how much space we occupy in the conscience of Americans. Which for the vast majority is nothing more than a meme about kangaroos.

 

[Soupnasty]

Whilst I agree that we can't be looking over our shoulder at the NRL and putting in direct comparisons all the time, we need to accept they're nailing the entertainment side of sports and take some inspiration.

The two biggest innovations the NRL have produced in their game lately are Magic Round and NRL Vegas. Both of which absolute kill it on the fan engagement side of things.

Meanwhile, Super Round from an entertainment venue experience is a flop. And it doesn't help putting it on the same weekend as NRL Vegas either, that needs to be changed going forward.

If Rugby were to do a Magic round re-invent, I think it should be done as follows:

- Each game in the round for the home team includes:
1) A School boy game (GPS or CAS for NSW for example)
2) A local club game (Shute Shield for example for Waratahs)
3) The Super Rugby Game

 

[PhilClinton]

Gotta look past the whole “but the Americans didn’t even watch!” side of it and realise how much marketing here it has generated.

Every mainstream media outlet was reporting on NRL Vegas (and it was all positive prior to an on field incident). Our ‘showpiece’ event has received absolutely zero attention.

Not to mention the fact rugby league fans, as basic as they are, are now creaming themselves over the fact their great game was played on the same turf as an American Super Bowl.

Personally I’d love it if our game was solvent enough to piss away millions of dollars and play some games over in the USA.

 

[Homer]

Super round has nothing special about it. the promotion is poor/non-existent and doesnt explain why it is happening.
Make it an ANZAC round or Pasific round or something and play u20s and women's games on the same day. One venue in Aust and one in NZ.

 

[Adam84]

I'd love to know the costs... PVL claimed 'break-even', but I'd call bullshit on that.
They flew about 20 journalists over business class for an all expenses paid trip to Vegas, on top of all the other 'dignitaries', team staff, stadium hire, marketing and event costs. Tickets weren't sold at a premium cost and plenty of freebies were handed out.

I understand the long term/strategic intent might mean any short term loss is minor, but i'd still be interested to know what this extravaganza cost to put on, it would be in the tens of $millions, cant imagine they recouped much of that.

 

[Crashy]

Thats the thing that bugged me - the media were flown over and I couldn't believe all the puff pieces. Surely good journalism is about truth, accuracy and objectivity.
Didnt see much of that in any of the pieces - until they got back from the junket and the TV results came out.
It was pretty poor actually.

 

[Slim 293]

Thats the thing that bugged me - the media were flown over and I couldn't believe all the puff pieces. Surely good journalism is about truth, accuracy and objectivity.

 

[Crashy]

hehe. Maybe I'm just jealous.

 

[SouthernX]

I'd love to know the costs... PVL claimed 'break-even', but I'd call bullshit on that.
They flew about 20 journalists over business class for an all expenses paid trip to Vegas, on top of all the other 'dignitaries', team staff, stadium hire, marketing and event costs. Tickets weren't sold at a premium cost and plenty of freebies were handed out.

I understand the long term/strategic intent might mean any short term loss is minor, but i'd still be interested to know what this extravaganza cost to put on, it would be in the tens of $millions, cant imagine they recouped much of that.

for them to break even…

it’s gotta be measured by ticket sales to the stadium. The cheapest ticket was $19 USD or if you wanted a premium VVIP on the 50 yard line (with food and beverage included) they retailed for $600 USD

the luxury boxes didn’t look to full…

I don’t think they would of done numbers on their nrlstreamingapp…

as for the gambling, maybe they’ve come back with their exclusive deal with fanduel (the sportsbook manager at circa said in a new article that’s not the best model for the NRL, they should focus on no exclusive nrl betting partnership to open it up to more punters)

it’s year 1 of 5… so if anyone is willing to throw more resources at this venture it will be the horse racing guy. I’m looking forward to year 2. Was great spectacle… if the Aussie dollar can rebound and get above the 70 cent usd mark it might encourage more Aussie to travel.

 

[GTPIH]

Most US bookies don't pay product fees for the big US sports. Why would they pay a product fee for a pissant sport that would probably be in the novelty bet section of their website.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

for them to break even…

it’s gotta be measured by ticket sales to the stadium. The cheapest ticket was $19 USD or if you wanted a premium VVIP on the 50 yard line (with food and beverage included) they retailed for $600 USD

the luxury boxes didn’t look to full…

I don’t think they would of done numbers on their nrlstreamingapp…

as for the gambling, maybe they’ve come back with their exclusive deal with fanduel (the sportsbook manager at circa said in a new article that’s not the best model for the NRL, they should focus on no exclusive nrl betting partnership to open it up to more punters)

it’s year 1 of 5… so if anyone is willing to throw more resources at this venture it will be the horse racing guy. I’m looking forward to year 2. Was great spectacle… if the Aussie dollar can rebound and get above the 70 cent usd mark it might encourage more Aussie to travel.

There's no way they broke even. And there's no way they got 40k to the games. The lower bowl of Allegiant seats 28k. Shot from above show plenty of empty seats. They could have taken. All those sitting in the two upper tiers and sat them in the lower tier and still not have filled it. I've seen Raiders games with 50k in that Stadium. Totally different look.

 

[SouthernX]

There's no way they broke even. And there's no way they got 40k to the games. The lower bowl of Allegiant seats 28k. Shot from above show plenty of empty seats. They could have taken. All those sitting in the two upper tiers and sat them in the lower tier and still not have filled it. I've seen Raiders games with 50k in that Stadium. Totally different look.

They could have had 40k staggered over the evening.

broncos/chooks fans rolling in later and then bunnies/manly fans leaving early to go hit the roulette wheel.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

They could have had 40k staggered over the evening.

broncos/chooks fans rolling in later and then bunnies/manly fans leaving early to go hit the roulette wheel.

They apparently had 14k from Aus bc and 5k from England fly in for the event. That's a long way for one game. And a ticket covered both games.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I know some American based Aussies (I used to play rugby union with them!) who were saying 40 to 45k during the game. They said it was a pretty great event

 

[Strewthcobber]

for them to break even…

it’s gotta be measured by ticket sales to the stadium. The cheapest ticket was $19 USD or if you wanted a premium VVIP on the 50 yard line (with food and beverage included) they retailed for $600 USD

the luxury boxes didn’t look to full…

Las Vegas Tourism Authority supported it (who knows for how much). 40,000 visitors to Vegas probably meant it was worth it too

 

[RugbyReg]

They could have had 40k staggered over the evening.

broncos/chooks fans rolling in later and then bunnies/manly fans leaving early to go hit the roulette wheel.

similar to how I saw someone report their ratings - averaged 100,000 over the two games because one had 60,000 and the other 40,000.....