John Quayle: The man who revolutionised Rugby League | Straight Talk Podcast
As someone who has been a rugby league fan since the '60s, it's fair to say that the NRL could be in its best state yet.
Much of the strength we see in the game today is owed to the work of my latest Straight Talk guest, John Quayle.
John served as the General Manager and CEO of the NSWRL and ARL from 1983-1966. Under his leadership, the game underwent significant changes, including the iconic Tina Turner campaign, the Super League War, and the sport's expansion throughout Australia.
In this week's Straight Talk pod, John and I reminisced about the early days of rugby league, his role in professionalising the NRL, how he persuaded Tina Turner to sing in an NRL advertisement, his involvement in the Super League War, negotiation tales with Kerry Packer, and much more.
Timestamps:
00:00 Promo
01:00 Sydney Roosters Life Membership and Footy Career
08:19 Rugby League Administration and NRL in the 1960s
14:14 Reforming Australian Rugby League & Financial Challenges
22:03 Origins of the Super League War and TV Rights
40:44 The story behind the Iconic Tina Turner Campaign
50:20 John's Visionary Approach & Risk-Taking
58:55 The Impact of John's Father, Jack Gibson & Nick Politis on His Career
1:06:31 John's Views on NRL's Expansion into the U.S.
Riveting. John Quayle is a fantastic subject. All class. Humility and humour 👍
Bloody brilliant interview. I'm 42 and I grew up in that period of greatest NRL promo in history but also I've learnt so much from watching this interview. A great piece of Australian history. I was hooked.
I am in my early 30s and a massive league fan. I find it so interesting listening to these guests that are part of what made the nrl what it is today. Great job Mark
Best Podcast on the internet hands down. Nobody else has access to this quality of guest and can unpack what needs to be told. I'm not even from Australia and i'm not a Rugby League fan but its fascinating to see the parallels.
Spot on.
Where you from?
@@nichobee England
Thanks mate. it's much appreciated.
Great interview. May the organisation never repeat the mistakes of the past. I lost my club during this time. Bring back the Bears!
You can only wonder how big the ARL would have been without the Super League War happening. For a start, my Illawarra Steelers would still be standing alone, we'd have never lost Perth, maybe even the Bears would be playing in Gosford.
Not a maybe, the Bears were told by the ARL that relocating to Gosford would secure their future.
yes sharks and dragons should of merged very simple i am from wollongong i cnt cheer for st geroge illawara dragons , nothing repersent illawarra steelers
@@niksmaithy6929 I’m with you brother
Would of been 20 teams atleast
@@collingwoodtoyotaaflpremie5972 and maybe a few Sydney clubs would have eventually merged or dropped out, but it would have been a natural process rather than the forced at gun point BS straight after the split.
I remember I applied for a job at the Roosters Leagues Club and he was so honest with me with John Ballesty telling me I would lose my special badge number of the leagues and football club. Recently I was given Life Membership and still have my badge number ...but thanks to Mr Quayle
Names that are Australian Rugby League John Quayle , Ken Arthurson. Built it up to this great game , including through the super league war when other corporations wanted a piece of what these men built. Along with other other loyal business men John Quayle along with Arko made ARL what it is today .
I'm 59 lived through these years. Fantastic insight into those days. The Hindsight Police have signed off on the Tina Turner promotion!
Fantastic interview. As someone who grew up through the Tina Turner years, I remember vividly what Quayle and Arthurson did for rugby league. To get the insight of one of the main figures during that tumultuous period was terrific. Thank you for this Mark. And thank you John.
Thanks
Great interview. Get him back on to to go full detail into super league war.
Brilliant Mark thx Go the Chooks!!
Thanks
i like how in the super league the try reviews are narrated by the video ref so that we know what they are thinking when they make a decision. i dont think the nrl has matched how good that part of the explanation is yet
Super League was 1995 (so annoying hearing things told wrong). John was spot on, 1994 was the last great year. 1995 started with so much excitement - 20 teams, national. Then months later, ruined.
A fairdinkum genuine human.
Very interesting interview, nice one boys.
Thanks for listening
why was back then that the NSW RL became bigger then the Qld RL?
Mark it will be nice to know if the players were strong athletic at high school
Rugby League is on the slide. They need to buy Super League NOW. The participation rates are down because parents dont want their kids ending up with CTE. In 30 yrs League will be like it is in the UK. A Northerners Game. CTE will change the world.