The Australian Rugby League Commission is expected to allow all three television networks to bid on free-to-air rights for the National Rugby League following early stage talks with incumbent broadcast partner Nine Entertainment Co.

Nine executives made a formal presentation to ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo last week, proposing a renewal of their existing rights deal with the code and outlining their plans for the future.

According to industry sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks were confidential, Mr V’landys did not accept or reject the proposal, but raised concerns about a lack of promotion for rugby league by the company. Nine is the owner of this masthead, and also controls radio, streaming and digital assets.

Mr V’landys and Mr Abdo’s expected decision to take the NRL rights to the market aims to to capitalise on the renewed financial stability for Nine’s free-to-air rivals, Seven West Media and Network Ten, which were challenged during negotiations last year. The pair have also indicated they are considering splitting the free-to-air rights for the NRL and other tournaments - like State of Origin - between multiple networks, an option Nine strongly opposes.

Nine and Mr V’landys declined to comment. Nine and the NRL renegotiated their existing contract last May in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The television company secured a discount on its deal due to a lack of crowds and temporary suspension of games.

Tensions between the NRL and Nine erupted when former Nine CEO Hugh Marks launched a stinging attack on the code’s leadership last April, describing it as a “bloated head office completely ignoring the needs of the clubs, players and supporters.” Those comments put pressure on then-NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg, who stepped down from the role 11 days later. Mr Marks resigned from Nine last year.

The NRL free-to-air rights are the biggest television rights property to be up for grabs this year. Foxtel, which provides 66 per cent of the NRL’s broadcast revenue, decided to extend its pay TV deal with the code to 2027 during last May’s negotiations. Nine did not extend its agreement, but said at the time would save $27.5 million in 2021 and again in 2022 under its renegotiated deal.

Seven and Ten have not received any formal documentation about the rights. But both networks have held informal talks with the NRL, multiple industry sources said. ViacomCBS and Ten executive vice-president Beverly McGarvey said in an interview with this masthead this week that the network would look at the NRL rights.

“Well, we have always said that we will look at all sports on a tactical basis, which remains the case and continues to be the truth. I think the interesting thing now is the tactical basis on which we examine the opportunity has moved,” she said.