Albo, Minns, the new US ambassador: The who’s who of grand final VIPs

October 4, 2026 — 5:57pm

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The first big question facing Peter V’landys during his reign as rugby league’s newly minted executive chairman was whether or not the NRL could snatch a victory over the AFL in the TV ratings when the dust settles on the 2026 grand final.

Only a few months ago, the NRL chief was holding court with media bosses at the State of Origin opener, with broadcasters Nine Entertainment, owner of this masthead, and Foxtel, owned by the global streaming giant DAZN, jockeying for pride and place in the thick of high-stakes negotiations over a new media rights deal.

Those talks would eventually deliver V’landys a $5.3 billion broadcast rights deal, and set a new national record in the process. On Sunday evening, the challenge was to deliver value for money – all without the draw of a major entertainment act to bring in extra........

© Brisbane Times