NRL CEO Todd Greenberg is hopeful of reaching an agreement with the NSW government which will keep the 2021 grand final in Sydney "in the next month or two".
Delays to the rebuild of ANZ Stadium have triggered discussions between Greenberg and the NSW government, as the Homebush ground will not be ready for use by the time the 2021 decider rolls around.
NRL boss Todd Greenberg is confident the 2021 season decider will remain in Sydney.Credit:Dean Sewell
The Herald last week revealed there is also a possibility the ground may not be ready for the 2022 grand final either, though Allianz Stadium should be available by then.
While an agreement was already in place to play the 2020 decider at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the NRL will be without an estimated $20 million in gate takings due to the difference in capacity between the SCG, Allianz and ANZ.
Advertisement
The difference in capacity will cause a significant reduction in gate takings for the 2021 and 2022 deciders, as well as Origin matches in both years.
Some powerful voices within the NRL are subsequently pushing for the 2021 grand final to be sold to the highest bidder but Greenberg is leading the discussions with the government and he is hopeful of agreeing to new terms which would keep the final game of the season in Sydney.
"Our conversations with them have been ongoing for a number of weeks and I am sure we will get to a resolution which will keep everyone happy," Greenberg said at the launch of the World Cup 9s on Monday.
"We would like to do it in the next month or two if we can.
"We have had really fruitful discussions with the government. I personally have a very strong relationship with the Premier and we have had ongoing contact as well."
Greenberg repeatedly highlighted the $2.2 billion spend the NSW government has undertaken in building Bankwest Stadium and redeveloping ANZ and Allianz into similar state-of-the-art facilities.
For that reason, the government are understood to be reluctant to part with any additional cash to keep the showpiece event in Sydney.
Alternative solutions have been explored, including the possibility of adding five years to the back-end of the current contract agreed upon earlier this year which ensured the grand final would be played in Sydney until at least 2042.
"The reality is the NSW government is spending $2 billion to build three stadiums and theyre not just stadiums, theyre purpose-built rectangular stadiums that are for us, for rugby league," Greenberg said.
"We want to make sure there is a level of respect that goes with that.
"In saying all of that, some of the terms of our MOU have changed. That has created some issues that we need to resolve and they are the discussions were having.
It remains to be seen where the 2021 NRL grand final will be staged.Credit:NRL Photos
"I have seen lots of figures bandied around and I dont think it is helpful to add a running commentary to it. Those discussions are sensitive, those discussions are commercial, but they are being held in really good regard between the two partieRead More – Source
[contf] [contfnew] 
Australian Breaking News Headlines
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
