For 46 years, State of Origin has been exclusively held by a single network.
That longstanding tradition may soon be challenged.
As New South Wales and Queensland face off in Game 2 at the MCG on Wednesday night, the most significant battle is occurring off the field.
Australian Rugby League Chairman, Peter V'landys, is nearing a broadcasting agreement that could transform the sport's financial and structural landscape for the coming decade, as reported by The Daily Telegraph.
This TV rights deal is projected to exceed $4 billion, and the pressing timeline is understandable, with his next meeting slated for July 1.
Insiders indicate that negotiations have reached a point where a special sitting could convene soon to finalize the terms, paving the way for an announcement before Game 3 on July 8.
There is an increasing belief that the NRL could secure a more lucrative deal than the AFL's $4.5 billion package, which amounts to $643 million annually over seven years.
Among the intriguing aspects of the negotiations is a detail that would have been unimaginable just a generation ago.
Under the new agreement, it's possible for Origin to be broadcast on two networks simultaneously, with Fox potentially partnering with Nine for a groundbreaking simulcast.