- NRL chiefs are reportedly eyeing up a move to buy a stake in the Super League
- It comes as bosses are looking to grow the sport further around the world
NRL bosses held ‘secret meetings’ with Super League powerbrokers in Las Vegas over a proposal to purchase a stake in the rival league, according to reports.
Multiple clubs in the UK competition have been beleaguered with financial difficulties in recent times, with Salford Red Devils being ordered to sell players by the Rugby Football League at the start of the new season.
But it now appears that NRL bosses could step in to lend a helping hand to the European competition, with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting that the league has ‘agreed to consider a 33 per cent proposal’ buy out of the Super League.
The outlet adds Wigan owner Mike Danson and Warrington boss Simon Moran were in Vegas last month and met with powerbrokers from the NRL. It is reported that Wests Tigers chief Shane Richardson and South Sydney boss Blake Solly played a key role in arranging the meeting.
It is understood that the pair are now set to speak to other clubs in the league before a potential investment proposal is submitted to Australian Rugby League Commissioner Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.
An investment decision by the NRL would relate to the league’s desire to further grow the sport around the world. It comes as expansion talks continue to revolve around the Australian league – with Papua New Guinea set to enter a team in 2028.
Reports claim that the NRL could be weighing up a move to buy a 33 per cent stake in the Super League
Powerbrokers are hoping to grow the profile of rugby league around the world and a potential purchase could promote that
It is understood that powerbrokers from both leagues met for ‘secret meetings’ in Las Vegas
The proposals will go ahead, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, if there is a take-up in the plans by NRL clubs and there is said to be interest from several big teams in the Super League over the proposals.
The NRL, though, is not motivated by financial motives.
After boasting that the code has taken over from the AFL as Australia’s most-watched sport last season, amassing 153.7million viewers, the ARLC is now set to negotiate a new broadcast agreement.
In a blow to footy fans, the NRL is set to be considering splitting its rights up with different streaming organisations like Netflix, Amazon and DAZN – meaning fans could have to pay extra to watch their team.
Matches are only shown on Fox Footy and Channel 9 as it stands.
But the league is set to net a whopping $3billion from its next rights deal, a jump from the $2billion deal that will end in 2027.
And with an investment in the Super League, the timing of the new deal couldn’t perhaps come at a better moment, with V’landys thus able to open both competitions up to a broader international audience.
It also comes as AFL fans have hit out at league bosses following the introduction of its broadcast schedule changes, with many fans now having to pay for a Fox or Kayo subscription to watch football on Saturdays.
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