The NRL insists it will only step in to prop up a struggling club as a holdover to honour their lucrative broadcast deal, but it won't be a long-term solution.
Just two days after whacking Cronulla with an $800,000 fine - and deregistering their head coach - the governing body is on Friday expected to get answers from the Sharks on its solvency.
The embattled club is also widely tipped to be hit with another fine once the NRL integrity unit finalises its investigation into salary cap breaches stemming from the 2015 and 2017 seasons.
Even before bringing the hammer down on them this week, NRL boss Todd Greenberg revealed headquarters had already asked the Sharks for an update on their finances.
It once again raised questions about Cronulla's long-term future in the league.
Despite Sharks chief executive Barry Russell declaring a bright future for the club this week there remains fears the collective financial penalties would cripple the franchise.
The developments come as reports emerge the NRL is looking into the possibility of having to take control of Cronulla, should the club pull the plug.
This is despite promises the game can't afford to keep clubs afloat.
However, it is understood the NRL will only reach into its own pockets to fulfil its broadcast requirement of fielding 16 teams per week.
And then it would need a long-term solution, which could include relocation.
Earlier this week Greenberg was adamant he wanted to see Cronulla thrive in the Shire and the governing body re-iterated that view on Friday.
"The NRL retains its view that the Sharks will continue to be part of the NRL competition," an NRL spokesperson told AAP.
The Sharks have endured a hellish month, which included the reported sacking of 10 staff members, as well as revelations of a $3 million-loss during its 2016 premiership triumph.
The club is also without a major sponsor for next season and could be on the lookout for a new coach if Shane Flanagan opts not to appeal his ban.
But Russell attempted to allay those concerns by hinting at possible injections of cash in the near future, possibly through their Wooloware Bay development near their home ground.
Asked whether the club could survive the $800,000 fine, Russell said: 'Yes we can."
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