Ten of the English Super League’s 14 top-flight clubs are supporting the NRL’s bid to take over the league, with most of the bosses throughout the competition urging the RFL to accept the deal.
Peter V’Landys hosted a phone call sit-down with the U.K. chiefs on Thursday, the Courier Mail has reported, with aims to dot the i’s and cross the t’s for the big league union.
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The NRL has been circling the Super League for several years now, and is eager to buy into the long-running U.K.-based competition to save it from bankruptcy and to build the game on an international playing field.
Reports have been suggesting that England’s Rugby League Commercial (RLC) will this week accept the NRL’s latest offer, which is worth an estimated $57 million over five years, after a year of negotiations across both countries.
“We’re a firm believer in having a strong game in England, and we’re a firm believer in the international game,” V’Landys said. “You can’t have an international game without England. It’s got its challenges, but rugby league has to be strong in England. We’re doing everything we can to… assist in the future.”
The structure will see the NRL pick up 10% of the Super League each year for five years, until it controls half of the European competition by around 2031.
The rescue package is designed to help Super League’s infrastructure, and it is hoped the NRL’s branding could be used as leverage to broker a richer TV rights deal. Wigan, St Helens, Toulouse, Hull KR, Hull FC, and Leeds, many of which are the perennial powerhouses, were the strongest backers.
Australian clubs may buy direct stakes in Super League franchises once the deal’s been rubber-stamped, with the Roosters already eager to resurrect their old “Manchester Roosters” idea that would rebrand Salford.
Tigers owners HBG have also said they’re “open to exploring opportunities” like that, too.
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