The Sydney Morning Herald reports the NRL is about the seal an extension with Channel Nine and Fox Sports that will last until the end of the 2025 season. 

A highly publicised backlash from Channel Nine left the code reeling and pre-empted the exit of CEO Todd Greenberg but NRL HQ is now focused on resuming the competition on May 28.

ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys, Foxtel boss Patrick Delany and Nine chief executive Hugh Marks have allegedly made a positive step forward - but at a cost.

The SMH says the deal will be less than the combined $325 million Nine and Fox Sports provide each year.

The NRL will accept a short-term financial boost which will lead to lesser revenue in the years to come in order to keep the game afloat. 

The current broadcast deal brokered for 2018-2022 is worth $1.8 billion, yet both networks are eager to renegotiate its terms and values due to the financial impact of COVID-19. 

Nine have requested that the game follows a decentralised governance model, a similar structure used in the English Premier League. Clubs would still receive their agreed $13 million each year regardless if the NRL has to make financial cuts or broadcast revenue drops. 

"We're trying our best to finalise all the broadcast things this week, and that's optimistic," Peter V'landys told AAP.

"Because they are very complicated. And you have two partners, not just one. And you've got to work between the two of them.

"But they are certainly progressing. There are meetings every day. It's not an easy progress. But we will get there."

If the NRL can finalise a deal with its primary broadcasters it will place itself in a much easier position to deal with the 2020 season, its schedule and State of Origin.