Canberra Raiders boss Don Furner has slammed reports clubs have discussed a potential breakaway competition, throwing his support behind embattled NRL chief executive Dave Smith.
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Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday the formation of a rebel league was unlikely, but now officially an option. It said clubs could take radical action if denied more money from the NRL following the new $925 million free-to-air broadcast deal with Channel Nine.
But Melbourne Storm chairman Bart Campbell, who is the spokesperson for the 16 clubs, told Fairfax Media on Monday there was no talk of mutiny or a breakaway competition.
Furner echoed Campbell's thoughts, saying the Raiders won't waste time entertaining such an idea.
"It's so fanciful - some of the stories I've read - we were listed as one of the clubs that wanted to join this new league," Furner said.
"No one has ever spoken to us about it or sent so much as an email about it, yet we're listed as a group that isn't happy. It's fanciful and laughable - honestly, it's laughable."
Furner said the Raiders were committed to the NRL, and the ever-changing digital landscape meant there was no need to panic over what the final broadcast deal may look like.
The NRL still has more than two years to finalise the pay-TV, digital and international components of the broadcast rights from 2018 to 2022.
At its announcement a fortnight ago, the free-to-air deal was considered ground-breaking and a victory for the game.
"A week ago it was the best deal ever - there's some very, very short memories and some very judgmental people out there. David has our full support, and the game is well placed," Furner said.
"I can't believe it, there's still two-and-a-half years to go and Dave Smith has done a fantastic job so far. If he pulls off the second half of the deal everybody will be cheering.
"To me, from the outside looking in, somebody hasn't got what they wanted in the new agreement."
Furner is one of two CEOs - along with St George Illawarra boss Peter Doust - still involved in the NRL who saw the game ruined through the Super League era.
He said there were some people within the game with "short memories", and said talk of mutiny and Super League II was self-serving and damaging.
"Ironically the main protagonist was News Limited back then and it's amazing what they are now doing. I think their position and some of the stuff they are saying is incredible considering what they put the game through all those years ago," Furner said.
"People do have short memories, and some people, rightly or wrongly, weren't even aware of it or it didn't affect them so they don't remember what happened with the Super League, but it was a terrible time for footy.
"I wish publicly, people within the game would stop shooting it down, because it's self-serving and damaging. But they'll also be the guys cheering if they are the beneficiary of a huge deal, which I'm sure we'll get done."
