It's not just the finances facing an uncertain future, but the federal government's planned domestic travel ban has cast another pall of uncertainty over the NRL and the Canberra Raiders.
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NRL chairman Peter V'landys was confident the travel ban wouldn't stop games going ahead.
He's repeatedly said it would be catastrophic for the NRL if games were forced to stop.
Canberra Raiders chief executive Don Furner admitted they would be under financial pressure if that happened and they would struggle to rely on the backing of their licensed clubs.
Licensed clubs are facing an uncertain future of their own with the government threatening to shut down clubs, pubs and restaurants to enforce social distancing measures.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said they would work with the NRL and AFL to see whether the domestic travel ban would apply to them.
"In terms of the NRL and AFL ... I think the principle is important," Morrison said.
"But I'm sure we can work with both of those agencies, with their respective state and chief medical officers at a federal level if there are new arrangements that need to be put in place to protect the health and safety of everyone.
"That may be possible, so I am not going to preempt those outcomes, but I am sure we can work those issues through on a practical case-by-case basis."
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
V'landys was confident the competition would be able to continue to round three.
"I don't believe so because the prime minister said during questioning that ... it didn't include the NRL and the AFL and he would be discussing that with us [on Monday] to continue the travel," he said on Triple M.
"We're using chartered flights ... so hopefully we'll able to continue to travel even though there's a ban on non-essential travel."
That will hopefully mean the Raiders will play the St George Illawarra at Canberra Stadium on Thursday night.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg on Sunday night said: "The NRL has given careful consideration to today's federal and state government decisions to shutdown non-essential services, locations and travel.
"We have, and always will, stringently follow all government health advice and medical protocols to protect the health and safety of the community, and our players.
"At this stage, our intent is to play on and we remain committed to the continuation of the 2020 season as far as government advice allows it.
Our number one priority is to protect our players, staff and fans and we will continue to do this by adopting the strictest possible medical protocols.
"However, we understand the pace of the crisis is escalating rapidly and we need to remain flexible and conscious of community expectations."
Furner went on a Gold Coast reconnaissance mission to make Canberra Stadium ready for life during the coronavirus pandemic.
He joined the playing group on the chartered flight on Saturday to get a feel for what will be required for the Dragons games.
The Raiders are unbeaten having accounted for the Gold Coast Titans and New Zealand Warriors.
It will be the first game at Canberra Stadium under COVID-19 protocols, which means the grandstands will be empty.
The Canberra Times revealed if the Raiders are forced to play home games in front of an empty stadium for the rest for the season then it will cost the club about $4 million.
But if the NRL is forced to stop playing due to the coronavirus then the impact would be much worse - with television broadcasters likely to ask for their TV rights money back.
Having already imposed a 100-person limit on gatherings at clubs, pubs and restaurants, there was a push for the government to close them completely.
It would further hit the Raiders Group, who are financial backers of the Green Machine.
"We'll be under pressure. The same as every sporting club in every sport," Furner said.
"You need those revenue streams coming in to keep your business going.
"The leagues clubs are under their own pressure in regards to the lockout of 100 people and less.
"I think if you look at industries of restaurants, clubs, pubs, bars they're all going to suffer because of that regulation."
NRL ROUND THREE
Thursday: Canberra Raiders v St George Illawarra Dragons at Canberra Stadium, 8.05pm.