7, 9 and 10 to fight for State of Origin rugby rights

Australia's Seven, Nine and Ten TV networks are set to fight for the broadcast rights of the State of Origin rugby league series. The annual three-match series is one of Australian rugby league's biggest events. According to Australia's Daily Telegraph, the broadcasters are preparing for the newly-formed Australian Rugby League Commission to split the high-rating property from the rugby league's general television rights deal. NRL chief executive David Gallop said: "We are in an exclusive negotiation period with the incumbent rights holders [Nine]. "But State of Origin football is getting bigger and bigger every year so it's hardly surprising that it is being looked at as a compelling television property by all networks, should the opportunity arise."