Tones And I Pulls Out of NRL Grand Final Performance Citing Prior Commitments

Tones And I has spoken out after the NRL announced it would scrap a long-standing grand final tradition of pre-match entertainment. The decision comes as a result of the league's plans to redirect funds to support children playing rugby league.

The NRL had reportedly approached Tones And I to perform at the grand final, with an offer presented to her management on September 5. However, her management team confirmed that no deal was signed or confirmed in writing due to "prior commitments".

"Tones was recently approached to perform the pre-show at the NRL grand final," her management representative Regan Lethbridge said in a statement. "An offer was presented to Tones via management on September 5. Tones had a prior commitment with Macklemore in America and explored all avenues to make it work. Nothing was signed or confirmed in writing. Due to the last-minute nature and prior commitments by Tones, we were unable to accept the offer. We wish the NRL nothing but the very best for their event."

Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'landys explained that the decision to forego pre-match entertainment was a deliberate choice, citing the high cost of booking an artist. The funds will instead be used to support junior rugby league.

"I'd prefer to see 20,000 underprivileged kids who can't afford to play rugby league play rugby league, rather than spend a million dollars on 11 minutes of a musical performance," he said.

V'landys expressed his admiration for Tones And I, describing her as a "great performer" with "some great songs". However, he confirmed that both parties had decided to go in a "different direction".

"I'm a fan of Tones And I," he said. "She is a great performer, no doubt about that, and she's got some great songs, but as I said, we both decided to go to a different direction."

The grand final has traditionally featured pre-match entertainment, with past performers including international pop stars like Teddy Swims, Billy Idol, and Tina Turner. However, V'landys remained unconcerned about the potential impact on the event, stating that "our game sells itself" and that "people come to watch rugby league. They don't come to watch a pop concert".

New South Wales Rugby League chief executive David Trodden expressed his support for V'landys' decision, praising the move to direct funds towards grassroots rugby league.

"I applaud his decision to use the funds to support grassroots rugby league, and particularly those children who may have financial constraints on their ability to participate in such a wonderful community sport," Trodden said. "Rugby league has a unique ability to provide community support to those who need it the most."