The NRL season launch has been cancelled just eight days out from the first round, as pay disputes between the league and players continue.

The NRL released a statement confirming the news.

“Due to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations, the NRL will not hold a season launch function this Thursday as originally planned,” the statement read.

“The NRL remains focused on making positive progress regarding the joint NRL and NRLW agreements.”

Nathan Cleary said just days ago that players were prepared to sit out the start of the season.

“We’re prepared to sit out games,” he told media.

“It’s obviously not something we want to do; it’s robbing the fans of what they want to see.

“In saying that, it’s something we’re prepared to do to get our fair share.

“I think it’s just about the NRL coming to the party and wanting to find that middle ground where we can have that fair share. At the moment, unfortunately, it hasn’t happened yet, so we’ll have to wait and see.”

What this means for the lucrative deals between the league and Foxtel, and Channel Nine remains to be seen.

Networks famously fought it out over the truncated sporting seasons during COVID-19. Foxtel is hosting its NRL season launch at Darling Harbour this morning – with the event set to start as this news broke.