Interim CEO John Grant is reportedly facing a $137 million funding demand to save struggling NRL clubs from going bankrupt.

News Corp Australia says a bloc of NRL club chairmen will meet with Grant on the issue on Wednesday in the wake CEO Dave Smith’s resignation.

Broncos chairman Dennis Watt and Roosters supremo Nick Politis say the financial viability of the NRL’s clubs is the most critical issue confronting the code.

It is understood Smith and Grant have been at odds over the level of future funding to clubs, with the outgoing CEO more sympathetic to their plight.

The Courier-Mail reports Smith’s departure presents a potential hurdle for the chairmen, who fear some clubs will go under unless Grant supports a 40 per cent increase in annual funding.