Pot calls Kettle Black
Eels CEO Dennis Fitzgerald unloads on Gus Gould; Notorious human headline Denus Fitzgerald has blasted Phil Gould for recent comments against the NRL. The on-going News Ltd vs Gould saga seems to be never ending. Gould launching the most recent salvo at News Ltd and their involvement in the recent NRL sponsorship agreement discussions with Telstra.
News Ltd have fired back by publishing the Fitzgerald comments which attack Gould.
Denis Fitzgerald has labelled former NSW coach Gould a "bitter know-all". Fitzgerald was responding to Gould's harping criticisms of rugby league and the leadership of NRL chief executive David Gallop and chief operating officer Graham Annesley.
Gould has recently attacked Gallop's handling of the NRL's naming rights and new media deal with Telstra. But the outspoken Fitzgerald says many people in rugby league have had enough. "Gould is just a know-all," Fitzgerald said. "He seems to be putting himself up as the bloke who knows everything on all things rugby league.
"His administration experience is zilch yet he dares criticise David Gallop and his management team, who are highly talented and highly experienced. It seems as though Gould simply cannot be pleased.
"He must be getting paid to be critical of the game, which is 50 per cent owned by a company in competition with his employer, the Sydney Morning Herald. "Phil Gould is anti-everything in the game. He still cannot get over the split in the game which was resolved 10 years ago.
"He is bitter and it seems to be an on-going saga with his anti-NRL management diatribe." In recent years, Gould has: Personally attacked Annesley; Sought to have the salary cap banned; Criticised the judiciary and its processes; Questioned player-manager accreditation; Slammed the NRL's management; Questioned the worthiness of the Rugby League Players Association; Questioned the NRL's finances; Bagged the use of video referees.
Fitzgerald believes Gould should speak openly with Gallop rather than fire shots at the game's CEO through his newspaper column. "If he's that upset or critical of the NRL, why doesn't he seek a face-to-face meeting with Gallop and his team rather than throw up criticisms on a weekly basis," Fitzgerald said.
"In my 28 years as an administrator, I rate David Gallop on top alongside John Quayle as the best and most respected administrator in the game. "Gallop's legal background is ideally suited to any high level and complex negotiations." The NRL soon will make an announcement to finalise the new media deal with Telstra.
"I was flabbergasted at Phil Gould's remarks in regards the Telstra deal," Fitzgerald said. "Obviously it was a highly complex arrangement and there appears to be some degree of conflict in regards to ownership of the various parties involved – that being News Limited (publisher of The Daily Telegraph) owning 50 per cent of the game, 50 per cent of Fox Sports and 25 per cent of Foxtel.
"That adds to the dilemma as to which of the NRL media partners would be best suited to transit."
