Tones And I breaks silence over NRL grand final snub
Australian singer Tones And I has responded to the NRL's announcement that it will scrap pre-match entertainment at next month's grand final, with her management citing a prior commitment with American rapper Macklemore as the reason she turned down the offer.
Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'landys told ABC Sport on Tuesday that plans for Tones And I to perform before the showpiece event had been cancelled, with the money instead going towards helping children play rugby league.
However, the singer's management said no deal was ever signed or confirmed in writing.
What did Tones And I's management say?
In a statement sent to ABC Sport, management representative Regan Lethbridge said the offer came too late to fit around existing commitments.
“Tones was recently approached to perform the pre-show at the NRL grand final. An offer was presented to Tones via management on September 5. Tones had a prior commitment with Macklemore in America and explored all avenues to make it work. Nothing was signed or confirmed in writing. Due to the last-minute nature and prior commitments by Tones, we were unable to accept the offer. We wish the NRL nothing but the very best for their event.”
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the dispute centred on the NRL's insistence that Tones And I perform her 2019 hit Dance Monkey, a song she has previously said she loathes despite its commercial success. Neither the singer nor V'landys has cited the set list as the issue.
Why is the NRL redirecting grand final funds?
V'landys said he remained a fan of the singer but defended the decision to redirect funds to grassroots participation.
“I'm a fan of Tones And I. She is a great performer, no doubt about that, and she's got some great songs, but as I said, we both decided to go to a different direction.”
The cost of staging a musical act for the grand final is approximately one million dollars, according to V'landys.
“I'd prefer to see 20,000 underprivileged kids who can't afford to play rugby league play rugby league, rather than spend a million dollars on 11 minutes of a musical performance.”
The decision marks a significant break from tradition. The grand final has regularly featured international acts, including Teddy Swims last year, with Billy Idol and Tina Turner among past performers.
Will the grand final suffer without pre-match entertainment?
V'landys dismissed concerns that the event would feel underwhelming.
“Our game sells itself. People come to watch rugby league. They don't come to watch a pop concert.”
He said he had been considering the idea for several years, adding that the NRL weighs up many artists over time but that supporting children who cannot afford to play was a better outcome.
Were state officials consulted on the decision?
Grand final hosting rights are bid for by state governments, with New South Wales currently holding them. It is not clear whether the state's sport minister or premier were consulted; neither provided comment.
New South Wales Rugby League chief executive David Trodden said he had a brief conversation with V'landys about directing funds to grassroots footy and applauded the move.
“I applaud his decision to use the funds to support grassroots rugby league, and particularly those children who may have financial constraints on their ability to participate in such a wonderful community sport. Rugby league has a unique ability to provide community support to those who need it the most.”
Macklemore, meanwhile, was recently dropped from Ed Sheeran's The Loop Tour over pro-Palestinian comments, adding a layer of international attention to the scheduling clash.