Titans were in the same boat last year weren't they?
Didn't they ask for an extension to their NRL loan and early release of their grant in order to settle a few other debts?
For mine I think it is important that the NRL assist them in order to keep them afloat. It would be a disaster for the game, if one of the new expansion clubs folded and would certainly put a dampener on any new ones coming in.
It would be interesting to see what has caused the debts, whether it is poor financial management or lack of support or incoming finances, i.e. no leagues club etc.
If so I wonder how that will bear out for any new expansion team that they consider. I mean realistically, Leagues clubs are a thing of the past, so it is unlikely any new club will have that as a source of income, losing the pokies dollars.
That therefore means that the NRL is going to have to look at new ways to financially support teams or make each one financially viable outside of its various grants.
Merchandise and Memberships are one way to do it, but thats a tough sell for a new team, and you would think they will need to look at alternate business ventures, whether that be some form of training or something else.