Channel Nine director of sport Tom Malone has rubbished suggestions the network asked the NRL to axe a Sydney side in favour of a second Brisbane team ahead of the new braodcast deal in 2023.
A story was written in the Sunday Telegraph explaining Malone's support for a new Brisbane side, and quoted him as saying he would support a club being "discontinued" if it helped the prospect of another Brisbane side.
However, Malone maintains he never said he wanted a Sydney club to face the chop.
"The NRL have raised discussions on a second team for Brisbane - we agree with that proposition because we believe the fans in that market will embrace it," Malone told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"We’ve never suggested a Sydney-based club should be axed. Others have named clubs in a bid to introduce emotion into the discussion.
"It’s up to the NRL to decide if and how they put a second team in Brisbane."
Malone also confirmed Nine's request to show the Tigers-Sharks match on free-to-air on Sunday afternoon, but confirmed it was denied by the NRL.