Dance Monkey v the NRL

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-24T07:16:26.359Z • Permanent link

Dance Monkey, the Australian singer-songwriter Tones and I, and the National Rugby League (NRL) are embroiled in a public dispute over the cancellation of the NRL's pre-game entertainment at the grand final. Tones and I, whose real name is Toni Watson, is said to have turned down a lucrative offer of $90,000 per minute to perform at the event. According to reports, the NRL had offered her the substantial sum to perform her hit song 'Old Me' at the grand final, but she allegedly rejected the offer citing that she dislikes the song.

Watson, who has spoken publicly about her struggles with anxiety and depression, expressed her disappointment and frustration with the NRL's decision to cancel the entertainment, stating that she was not even offered the opportunity to discuss the performance. The NRL has since released a statement saying that the decision to cancel the entertainment was made due to a last-minute change in the event's schedule and logistical constraints.

The dispute has sparked a heated debate among fans, with some defending Tones and I's decision to turn down the offer, while others have criticized her for being disloyal to the NRL and its fans. The NRL has also faced backlash on social media, with many fans expressing their disappointment and frustration with the cancellation of the entertainment.

The cancellation of the NRL's pre-game entertainment at the grand final has significant implications for the Data Sources domain. The event was a major platform for the NRL to engage with its fans and promote its brand, and its cancellation is likely to have a negative impact on the league's social media engagement and overall brand reputation. Furthermore, the dispute between Tones and I and the NRL is likely to have a broader impact on the music industry, with many fans and artists expressing their support for Tones and I's decision to stand up for her artistic integrity.

The cancellation of the event also has implications for the research communities and markets that rely on the NRL's data and analytics. The NRL's data is highly sought after by researchers and analysts, who use it to gain insights into the sport and its fans. The cancellation of the event is likely to disrupt this data flow, with many researchers and analysts facing delays and challenges in accessing the data.

The dispute between Tones and I and the NRL is part of a larger pattern of competing approaches to fan engagement and entertainment in the sports industry. In recent years, there has been a shift towards more experiential and immersive forms of fan engagement, with many sports leagues and teams investing heavily in events and activations that go beyond traditional pre-game entertainment.