Tigers CEO’s bold vision for Super League takeover, dethroning rugby
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might sound ambitious but Tigers chief Shane Richardson can see a day when league usurps union as the world’s No.1 rugby competition. And it starts with the NRL making a move on Super League.
Brent Read
Brent Read
@brentread_7
6 min read
September 16, 2025 - 12:00PM
News Sport Network
NRL: Tom Trbojevic has told his manager he can explore potential Super League offers when he hits the market on November first.
Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson is spoiling for a fight and he has set his sights on the English Super League – and then rugby union.
It might sound ambitious – some would suggest it borders on insanity – but Richardson can see a day when league usurps union as the premier rugby competition in the world.
He just needs buy-in.
He already has it from NRL powerbrokers as they consider a proposal which would see the game take control of Super League for at least five years, allowing the code to package up their broadcasting rights and maximise revenues for the premier competitions in the southern and northern hemisphere.
He just needs the English game to come to the party. If not the governing body, than a cabal of clubs who wield the influence and generate the money in Super League.
We’re talking Wigan, Warrington, St Helens, Leeds and the two Hull clubs.
As it stands, Super League is expanding to 14 teams next year. It borders on madness given revenues are shrinking and the existing clubs are losing money hand over fist.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has outlined a proposal to partner with the Super League and take on rugby union. Picture: NewsWire
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has outlined a proposal to partner with the Super League and take on rugby union. Picture: NewsWire
Richardson is appealing for common sense to prevail and England to hand a seat at the head of the table to the NRL. It may be Super League’s only hope.
“It’s got to be clear in everybody’s mind that the NRL went into this process not to make money or take over Super League for the rest of their life,” Richardson said.
“They went into it because they’ve realised now how important international football is. They have essentially done a great job with the Pacific Islands and creating that world.
“It’s been successful for TV and successful for crowds which they never really thought it would be. All of a sudden it’s grown from there.
“For the first time ever, there is a synergy where the NRL, the Super League and international football come up for grabs at the same time to broadcasters.
“Super League’s broadcast rights have been halved over the last three-to-five years. The international rugby league was always sold as an add on.
“Now there’s real value in all eyes. This negotiation that we’re doing is a huge one. The game over there is going bankrupt. Salford went bankrupt this year.
“What they need to do is have an NRL-style of competition which is saleable to television as a real product and it’s the perfect time for it because rugby union is in complete and utter disarray in England.
“I want (rugby league) to be the greatest rugby competition in the world.”
Bevan French stars for Wigan Warriors, one of several clubs in the sights of Shane Richardson. Picture: Getty Images via AFP
Bevan French stars for Wigan Warriors, one of several clubs in the sights of Shane Richardson. Picture: Getty Images via AFP
TAKING OVER SUPER LEAGUE
Richardson’s plan, which he devised with South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly, has the support of the NRL and would see Super League drop two teams to become a 10-team competition with no promotion and relegation for the next five years.
The big six would have spots along with two teams in France — Catalans and Toulouse.
The remaining two places would be up for grabs.
London Broncos, the club that Brisbane legend Darren Lockyer is in the throes of taking over, would be given the chance to apply for a spot.
Broncos legend Darren Lockyer is taking over London Broncos. Picture: John Gass
Broncos legend Darren Lockyer is taking over London Broncos. Picture: John Gass
Long-term, the plan would be to expand to other markets. Perhaps even America.
None of that can happen unless the NRL is given the green light to come in and take control for at least five years.
In return, they would invest a significant amount of money in the English game and do their best to grow revenue via a better broadcast deal.
Eventually, the competition and control would be handed back to Super League.
Former Roosters stalwart Jared Waerea-Hargreaves played for Hull Kingston Rovers this year. Picture: Getty Images
Former Roosters stalwart Jared Waerea-Hargreaves played for Hull Kingston Rovers this year. Picture: Getty Images
“So we did a lot of research and background on what it would look like and how we could do it,” Richardson said.
“Our attitude was it needs to be a competition that starts with 10 teams – two of which are from France, six are definitely from England and two others would apply and come in on the basis of what they do.
“No relegation, lock in a five year deal so we can sell that deal to play X number of games to be decided upon. The NRL put money into it, a large amount of money.
“But for the first five years we want to be able to have the CEO and the numbers on the board. It can’t be called Super League either because it’s a tired and smashed brand.
“But it’s not about holding it forever.”
Warrington playmaker George Williams looks for support. Picture: Getty Images
Warrington playmaker George Williams looks for support. Picture: Getty Images
TOPPLING UNION
Super League may be the immediate goal, but rugby union is in the distance.
With the NRL’s help, Richardson believes the English game can challenge and eventually surpass the rival code in the northern hemisphere.
Club rugby union is battling in England.
At least three top-tier teams have gone into administration in recent years while it was recently revealed that every club in the premiership posts a loss.
Rugby is in strife in the UK, opening the door for rugby league to make its move, according to Shane Richardson. Picture: Getty Images
Rugby is in strife in the UK, opening the door for rugby league to make its move, according to Shane Richardson. Picture: Getty Images
The combined debt of the top rugby union clubs is edging towards $200 million and the size of the losses explains why the code is now under threat from R360, the breakaway competition that has targeted a handful of NRL players.
Richardson can sense an opportunity and he wants to take it.
“What we want is to create rugby league as the number one rugby competition in the world,” Richardson said.
“We’re No.1 now in Australia with the NRL. We want to be No.1 in England as well.
“That’s what we want to do – become the No.1 rugby competition in England and parlay that into an international competition that can compete with rugby union at the highest level.
“We’ve got the Pacific Islands, we’ve got Australia, we have the southern hemisphere tied up. We’ve got television contacts, we’ve got sponsors.
“What we haven’t got is the buy-in of the competition running around in England.”
Could packaging Super League rights with the NRL and international rugby league be the key to unlocking British riches? Picture: Getty Images
Could packaging Super League rights with the NRL and international rugby league be the key to unlocking British riches? Picture: Getty Images
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
Nigel Wood is the current chief executive of the RFL and has championed expansion to 14 teams. Richardson is one of his staunchest critics, having developed a dislike for Wood’s style when he himself was in England.
It’s clear when you talk to Richardson that Wood will not be part of any plan involving the NRL. That leaves the English clubs with a choice to make and it won’t be on the table forever.
At some point the NRL will step up talks with broadcasters and the chance for the English game to be part of those discussions will be gone.
As it stands, Super League and its clubs exist on the smell of an oily rag.
Warrington star Matt Dufty is one of several former NRL players plying their trade in the Super League. Picture: Getty Images
Warrington star Matt Dufty is one of several former NRL players plying their trade in the Super League. Picture: Getty Images
Their revenues aren’t heading in the right direction either – nine English clubs recently released their finances for last season and only one returned a profit.
While Leigh finished slightly in the black, the other eight clubs combined for losses edging towards $20 million in 2024.
The NRL, meanwhile, is swimming in rivers of gold with the promise of even greater riches when they negotiate their next broadcasting deal.
With the NRL at their side, Super League would arrive at the negotiating table in a position of strength. They just need to reach out.
“The idea is we go to them and say we’ve got a bigger picture here,’ Richardson said.
“We want a decent deal for the Super League clubs so that they can grow and become a decent competition, which will help everyone.
“Then on top of that, that’ll help the international game. We’ll do a deal that we can actually set a proper international calendar over the next five years.
“Salford has gone into liquidation. All the clubs are losing money. You’ve got to have the television money.
“I went to England and I loved the game and its fans. But it’s never going to get ahead because the same people are in charge now as when I was on the Super League board.
“My point about it is that nothing’s changed … because no one wanted to make the tough calls.”
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