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The NRL is furious with Channel Nine after the network pumped up the AFL grand final during in the lead-up to rugby league's biggest match of the year.
NRL boss Peter V'landys has complained to Nine Entertainment executives about their promotion of the AFL grand final on last week's Today show.
Nine, which owns the broadcast rights to the rugby league competition, gave more air time to the AFL than the NRL on the program.
Several NRL clubs have reportedly complained to V'landys about the situation, with one anonymous official telling News Corp that 'Channel Nine did a better job promoting the AFL than Channel Seven, their rights holders'.
'Seriously, why would they want to encourage viewers to watch an event on another network?' said the club official.
V'landys confirmed he'd expressed his disappointment to the network about the situation, saying he was 'acting for the clubs and stakeholders'.
NRL boss Peter V'landys isn't happy with Channel Nine after the network pumped up the AFL decider during NRL finals time
V'landys complained to Nine Entertainment executives about their promotion of the AFL grand final on last week's Today show (hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo, pictured)
The AFL decider between Brisbane and Geelong drew more than 4 million viewers nationally
The move has come shortly after Channel Seven outbid Channel Nine and Foxtel to secure the exclusive rights to the Rugby League World Cup in Australia in 2026.
It's been suggested that Nine's move to pump up the AFL is a response to the NRL over the World Cup rights snub.
It isn't the first time Channel Nine has promoted the AFL ahead of the NRL, with the Today Show heading to Adelaide two years ago to get behind Gather Round.
Over the weekend, the 2025 AFL decider between Brisbane and Geelong cemented its position as the year's biggest TV event, drawing in more than 4 million viewers nationally.
While it didn't beat some long-standing highs from previous decades, it edged past last year's figure of 4.02 million.
