Despite a healthy financial position, the NRL is facing a "catastrophic" financial scenario if forced into an extended shutdown of its competition and is pushing ahead amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
At a special media conference at Rugby League Central on Sunday morning, chief commissioner Peter V'landys and CEO Todd Greenberg laid out the financial threats to the Telstra Premiership, the immediate action the game is taking and what could unfold in what is a rapidly changing situation.
Unprecedented challenge puts finances to blowtorch
"Our game has never faced a challenge like this," V'landys said.
"The longer it takes, the more pressure on our financial viability. It could have catastrophic effects on us moving forward. Our money will only last so long. Once it's extinguished we are in big trouble."
NRL confirms Round 2 to continue, Warriors to stay in Australia
He called for the federal government to consider the code along with all other worthy recipients when allocating its $17.6 billion emergency stimulus package.
If the game is shut down, the host broadcasters would not be obliged to continue to pay their lucrative rights deals, and they in turn would lose advertising dollars.
The NRL, as it continues to support clubs, players and its own staff, would quickly run out of cash despite announcing a $30 million surplus in its recent financial results.
"There's scenarios where the broadcaster does not have to pay if the games don't proceed. There is a force majeure clause in the contract," he said.
I thank the New Zealand Warriors for their co-operation; this is a very difficult time for them
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg
Player contracts may also be reduced – by agreement with the Rugby League Players' Association – in times of unforeseen hardship.
V'landys confirmed on Channel Nine's The Sunday Footy Show that there was a clause in the collective bargaining agreement that in a situation like this, the NRL and the RLPA can "in good faith, go back to the table and look at the payments again" for contracts.
"That's a sensible clause because this is something not of our own doing, that's why we need federal government support," V'landys said.
"The last resort for us is to go to the players and ask them for a pay cut because like the rest of us, they've for mortgages and made commitments on the money they believe they're going to get."
The NRL has also confirmed it had made an immediate allocation of $425,000 per club from a $6.8 million distressed fund.
Immediate future: Competition to continue for now as Warriors set up camp
V'landys and Greenberg stressed this was a fluid situation and things could change at any minute based on advice from government. The NRL has also employed the services of a biosecurity expert and a pandemic expert to guide their response to the COVID-19 situation.
The pair were highly appreciative of the New Zealand Warriors' move to set up camp in Kingscliff and play what should have been a round two home game against Canberra out of the Gold Coast.
"I thank the New Zealand Warriors for their co-operation; this is a very difficult time for them," Greenberg said.
"They've agreed to relocate to Kingscliff this week and they'll play their home game this weekend on the Gold Coast. Their players are facing an unplanned stretch away from their families and that's something that's certainly not lost on any of us.
"It's a significant sacrifice they're making and I spent time last night with their players and the RLPA and their management and we thank the Warriors for their co-operation and support."
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced an automatic 14-day isolated quarantine for not just visitors but also returning citizens, making week-to-week travel in and out of the country impossible.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia would follow New Zealand's lead in requiring all people arriving in the country to self-isolate for 14 days.
Patrick Herbert, whose partner recently gave birth, and Peta Hiku, whose partner is eight months pregnant, have returned to New Zealand but could theoretically return at a later point if the season continues and the Australian government does not follow New Zealand's strict quarantine measures.
The NSWRL is yet to officially announce how its competition will proceed - a decision will be made after CEO David Trodden arrives back from Fiji on Sunday.
The QRL has announced it will follow the NRL's lead of playing matches behind closed doors from next weekend.
The New Zealand Warriors' Canterbury Cup side has returned home and will not take part in the NSWRL competition in the immediate future. The NSWRL is yet to officially announce how its competition will proceed.
The longer it takes, the more pressure on our financial viability
ARL chairman Peter V'landys
Referees will now train in an individual setting rather than as a group, while the other 15 NRL clubs will continue to prepare and train as normal while limiting contact with outside stakeholders.
Measures such as chartering private planes and coaches rather than taking public flights will also be considered.
Crowds will be locked out out of games from round two onwards.
Longer term - everything on the table
While many believe it is inevitable the NRL will eventually be forced to follow suit with a majority of major sporting competitions around the world entering a shut-down period, it will continue so long as it is safe and viable to do so.
The NRL stressed every option was on the table and will continue to consult with clubs and players plus government and its biosecurity and pandemic experts.
Options include one such as that outlined by Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett to completely quarantine all 16 clubs in one city such as Townsville, Darwin or Perth and continue to play games there.
If a shutdown is enforced, there are options to make up time later by extending the season and playing games later and/or playing a reduced competition. Condensing or eliminating the representative period is also being discussed.