Threats follow’: R360 boss hits back after NRL, rugby union ban threats against players
R360 officials say they were not surprised by the NRL’s threat to players, on the back of rugby slamming the door shut on Test caps for those who join the rebel league, but believe the new competition will kick-off as planned.
Jamie Pandaram
Jamie Pandaram
@JamiePandaram
3 min read
October 15, 2025 - 9:17PM
News Sport Network
NRL: Brent Read speaks to Fox Sports News about the NRLâs decision to impose a ten-year ban on any player who signs with the rebel code.
R360 officials are adamant their competition will kick off next year despite the NRL warning players they’ll be banned for 10 years if they sign contracts with the rebel tournament.
In response to the NRL’s stunning announcement, co-chief executive of R360, Mark Spoors, said on Wednesday evening that they were not surprised by the league’s declaration, which followed last week’s statement by major rugby union boards around the world that R360 participants would no longer be eligible for internationals.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and ARLC chairman Peter V'landys. Picture: Getty Images
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and ARLC chairman Peter V'landys. Picture: Getty Images
“Recent announcements, sadly, have been anticipated,” Spoors said.
“History shows that when athletes are offered free choice and given fresh opportunities for them and their families then threats to those sportsmen and women follow.
“R360 is about empowering players, giving them, rugby lovers and the next generation of fans opportunities and new platforms to enjoy the sport we love.
“We know there is much interest in understanding more about the global series we’re building. We remain on plan and look forward to sharing and discussing the detail in the coming months.
“That will include details of the exciting male and female playing talent who will participate in R360 when we kick off in October 2026.”
Earlier in the day, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said the game’s commission would issue a decade-long ban to players and their agents from the league if they signed deals with R360.
NRL CEO Peter V’landys has made clear players won’t have a quick path back to the NRL. Picture: Getty Images
NRL CEO Peter V’landys has made clear players won’t have a quick path back to the NRL. Picture: Getty Images
“The Commission has a clear duty to act in the best interests of rugby league and its fans—and we will take all necessary steps to protect the future of the game,” V’landys said.
“Unfortunately, there will always be organisations that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain.
“They don’t invest in pathways or the development of players —they simply exploit the hard work of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves. They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.
“Accordingly, if it all goes wrong it’s the players who suffer most. Every stakeholder must be accountable to the standards our fans expect. We’ve listened to our clubs, and we’ve acted decisively.”
Ryan Papenhuyzen is believed to be among the major targets. Picture: Getty Images
Ryan Papenhuyzen is believed to be among the major targets. Picture: Getty Images
The likes of Payne Haas, Zac Lomax, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jye Gray are all believed to be weighing up significant offers from R360, which has the involvement of former England international Mike Tindall, with financial backing from European and American private equity firms.
New Zealand Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is understood to have already signed an R360 contract and won’t be swayed by the ban threat, given he is 32 years old.
Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is understood to have already signed a R360 contract. Picture: AP Photo
Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is understood to have already signed a R360 contract. Picture: AP Photo
Established rugby unions, including Rugby Australia, has already told players that joining R360 would rule them out of international duties including the 2027 World Cup and the Olympics.
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy issued a joint warning to all of their players last week.
“As a group of national rugby unions, we are urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition,” the joint statement said.
“We all welcome new investment and innovation in rugby; and support ideas that can help the game evolve and reach new audiences; but any new competition must strengthen the sport as a whole, not fragment or weaken it.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh. Picture: Getty Images
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh. Picture: Getty Images
“Among our roles as national unions, we must take a wider view on new propositions and assess their impact on a range of areas, including whether they add to rugby’s global ecosystem, for which we are all responsible, or whether they are a net negative to the game.
“R360 has given us no indication as to how it plans to manage player welfare; how players would fulfil their aspirations of representing their countries, and how the competition would coexist with the international and domestic calendars so painstakingly negotiated in recent years for both our men’s and women’s games.
Former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall is among the co-founders of R360. Picture: AP Photo
Former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall is among the co-founders of R360. Picture: AP Photo
“The R360 model, as outlined publicly, rather appears designed to generate profits and return them to a very small elite, potentially hollowing out the investment that national unions and existing leagues make in community rugby, player development, and participation pathways.
“International rugby and our major competitions remain the financial and cultural engine that sustains every level of the game — from grassroots participation to elite performance. Undermining that ecosystem could be enormously harmful to the health of our sport.
“These are all issues that would have been much better discussed collaboratively, but those behind the proposed competition have not engaged with or met all unions to explain and better understand their business and operating model.
“Each of the national unions will therefore be advising men’s and women’s players that participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection.”
