NRL to buy share of Super League

[Pippen94]

If they can't then the NRL should instigate a break away league. An NRL Europe. I know this is radical and dangerous, but if the game in England is left to the RFL it will just wither away and die. Invite any of the big 6 clubs along with Catalans and Toulouse and London Broncos and then think outside the square for the tenth....hell why not ask Manchester City FC if they'd be interested in running a summer franchise in league under their brand......I know one current kangaroo spine player who'd jump at the chance.

There should be a place for the small UK teams. That's where the fans are. Just like Sydney clubs in NRL. They just have bide their time and work towards it. When NRL looked to expand in Brisbane the three bids were former brl clubs. Heartland teams are base to be built upon. Of course some of these UK teams don't think they're good enough. Leigh shows what can be done.

 

[Gobsmacked]

NRL are probably just interested in:
Wigan
Saint Helens
Warrington
Leeds
Hull KR
Hull fc
London
Catalans
Toulouse
And maybe a side from Manchester.

That's the 10 they need/ want.
So long as all those clubs agree, then it's..
NRL Europe .

Leigh, Huddersfield, Castleford, Wakefield, York and Bradford votes count for nothing but they could form along with some Championship clubs, a very strong second devision/ feeder comp and be well funded by the NRL ( Europe) as is the case with NSW cup and Q cup.

 

[Pippen94]

NRL are probably just interested in:
Wigan
Saint Helens
Warrington
Leeds
Hull KR
Hull fc
London
Catalans
Toulouse
And maybe a side from Manchester.

That's the 10 they need/ want.
So long as all those clubs agree, then it's..
NRL Europe .

Leigh, Huddersfield, Castleford, Wakefield, York and Bradford votes count for nothing but they could form along with some Championship clubs, a very strong second devision/ feeder comp and be well funded by the NRL ( Europe) as is the case with NSW cup and Q cup.

Leigh and Wakefield have made giant strides. Let's see what York and bradford can do. All potentially have place in an NRL Europe. If comp is ten teams then maybe not right away.

 

[Kurt Angle]

I was of the belief Wakefield produced the 2nd highest amount of local juniors in the UK after Wigan

Also, of the 6 "big" side, we see a split of 2 in Lancashire (Wigan, St Helens) and proxy Lancashire in Warrington

The other 3 are Yorkshire and 2x Humberside

I'd be reticent to look at Wakefield, and the rest of Yorkshire, and abandon this

If they're poorly run, buy the Wakefield club and get every NRL brain you can to turn it into the Panthers

Seriously, that's all the UK needs, turn each Yorkshire and Lancashire into 2x Penrith districts

They'd field a competitive side within 10 years

 

[Gobsmacked]

Leigh and Wakefield have made giant strides. Let's see what York and bradford can do. All potentially have place in an NRL Europe. If comp is ten teams then maybe not right away.

I appreciate that but these all appear like they're doing well because it's at such a low base and standard.
If you took all the best players from the 14 clubs and money spent on players, then condense that into 10 clubs, that's what NRL Europe looks like - all of a sudden we're interested in NRL Europe because it's NRL standard.
10k crowds are standard, rosters are $ 10 million as standard.

 

[Pippen94]

I appreciate that but these all appear like they're doing well because it's at such a low base and standard.
If you took all the best players from the 14 clubs and money spent on players, then condense that into 10 clubs, that's what NRL Europe looks like - all of a sudden we're interested in NRL Europe because it's NRL standard.
10k crowds are standard, rosters are $ 10 million as standard.

Should never throw out strong club

 

[Gobsmacked]

Should never throw out strong club

Exactly my point.
You think they're strong clubs.

 

[Gobsmacked]

10 teams Europe comp all play each other twice, top 4 join the top 8 NRL clubs for a top 12 finals series.

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

If they can't then the NRL should instigate a break away league. An NRL Europe. I know this is radical and dangerous, but if the game in England is left to the RFL it will just wither away and die. Invite any of the big 6 clubs along with Catalans and Toulouse and London Broncos and then think outside the square for the tenth....hell why not ask Manchester City FC if they'd be interested in running a summer franchise in league under their brand......I know one current kangaroo spine player who'd jump at the chance.

NRL are probably just interested in:
Wigan
Saint Helens
Warrington
Leeds
Hull KR
Hull fc
London
Catalans
Toulouse
And maybe a side from Manchester.

That's the 10 they need/ want.
So long as all those clubs agree, then it's..
NRL Europe .

Leigh, Huddersfield, Castleford, Wakefield, York and Bradford votes count for nothing but they could form along with some Championship clubs, a very strong second devision/ feeder comp and be well funded by the NRL ( Europe) as is the case with NSW cup and Q cup.

I thought Bradford might be worth considering, one of the few clubs playing out of something that actually resembles a city.

The problem is, and this is what the Poms are going to say, you cut all those other clubs and you lose a massive part of the viewing audience, not what a broadcaster wants of course, therefore it has to be a mid to longer term project while the new competition grows to fill that gap and hopefully surpass it.
This is where a massive NRL broadcast deal comes in where we can fund that interim before perhaps a DAZN buys in.

 

[Gobsmacked]

I thought Bradford might be worth considering, one of the few clubs playing out of something that actually resembles a city.

The problem is, and this is what the Poms are going to say, you cut all those other clubs and you lose a massive part of the viewing audience, not what a broadcaster wants of course, therefore it has to be a mid to longer term project while the new competition grows to fill that gap and hopefully surpass it.
This is where a massive NRL broadcast deal comes in where we can fund that interim before perhaps a DAZN buys in.

Yeah Bradford is a good size but terrible stadium.

Currently the Super league has a small TV deal, of that they all get a slice and they all mostly run at a loss.
The NRL could offer the clubs they want a grant that's double what they currently receive, set a higher salary cap, those ten clubs will be then stacked with the pick of talent out of the current 14 teams. Higher quality contests, closer contest, all big clubs on sound financial footing getting better crowds and far better ratings.. the NRL package that with what they already have and it's worth substantially more.

Currently there's 14 teams, maybe 6 good ones and only when they play each other..
A ten team comp will deliver 10 quality teams that will all be worth watching. It's worth substantially more and adds prestige, then you can expand upon it.

 

[insert.pause]

The m62 bumpkins should be crawling on their hands & knees begging the NRL to save them. The numskulls are deluded it they think the NRL is going to get into any bidding war with PE. Watch the fat controller lead them into complete irrelevance.

 

[Pippen94]

Exactly my point.
You think they're strong clubs.

Wakefield and Leigh don't draw much below the big 6 (Catalans always left out for a reason).

 

[Gobsmacked]

Wakefield and Leigh don't draw much below the big 6 (Catalans always left out for a reason).

Those towns are too small and those crowds are tapped out, there's no room for growth.

 

[Pippen94]

Those towns are too small and those crowds are tapped out, there's no room for growth.

You can say that about almost all superleague teams. Both are growing and approaching big 6 numbers. Goal of NRL will be to have as many clubs at that standard.

 

[Gobsmacked]

You can say that about almost all superleague teams. Both are growing and approaching big 6 numbers. Goal of NRL will be to have as many clubs at that standard.

I don't think so at all. I think the NRL wants some prestige and brand power that'll grow as big a TV audience as possible. Wigan, Saint Helens are like Souths in that they're big brands that transcend their geographical area.
You're trying to put together a shiny prestigious league to sell the dream to broadcasters.. you're not doing that with Wakefield or Leigh.. Castleford.. Huddersfield..yuk. backwater towns nobody cares about with so real success that have been relegated multiple times, if they were going to be a strong club, they've had over a hundred years to achieve that. All they've really achieved is a successful chook raffle.

 

[Deja]

Those towns are too small and those crowds are tapped out, there's no room for growth.

The City of Wakefield has a population of 370,000 - more than Wigan, St Helens, or Warrington - so not exactly a small town.

 

[jolly boys outing]

The City of Wakefield has a population of 370,000 - more than Wigan, St Helens, or Warrington - so not exactly a small town.

True but you’ve got 3 teams within the city of Wakefield with castleford and featherstone alongside wakefield Itself.

 

[RL The greatest game]

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo held a secret meeting with IMG executives in London on Monday as rugby league’s broadcast negotiations escalated.
Although private, a well-placed source claimed the high-powered meeting was a “fact-finding mission” between the two NRL heavyweights and IMG powerbrokers, with the NRL also exploring whether to purchase a stake in the UK Super League competition to strengthen the code and its broadcast bargaining position.

Among a multitude of commercial opportunities, IMG is a world-renowned negotiator and adviser for global broadcast rights deals, and has been advising the Super League as part of a 12-year agreement.

Now that the meeting has taken place, the ARL Commission will consider whether to employ IMG in its looming broadcast discussions with multiple Australian and international suitors.

https://www.codesports.com.au/games
It is understood the NRL will formally begin broadcast negotiations after the three-Test Ashes series concludes in England on November 9.

V’landys and Abdo were present at Wembley Stadium to watch the first Test, won 26-6 by Australia last weekend.

The pair will continue working behind-the-scenes on the television deal while in England before returning to Australia after this weekend’s second Test in Liverpool.

No-one would disclose where the meeting was held and the NRL wouldn’t comment.

One source said: “There is immense interest in the NRL broadcast rights.”

The NRL will also decide whether to continue its interest in buying into the Super League and forming an alliance that would help grow the sport internationally.

The NRL and Super League have formed a closer bond since incorporating an English game in the annual Las Vegas season kickoff.

Wigan beat Warrington 48-24 as part of a quadruple header in the US this year, with premiers Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos set to face off as part of the 2026 event.

South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly and his Wests Tigers counterpart Shane Richardson have been the driving force behind a plan, six months in the making, for the NRL to buy a stake in Super League and breathe new life into the English game.

V’landys and Abdo have since taken key roles in talks for the NRL to take control of Super League for at least five years. A formal partnership with Super League would allow the NRL to bundle the Super League rights into the negotiations and provide more certainty around the World Club Challenge and the international schedule.

The current five-year NRL broadcast deal, which was secured during Covid in 2021, expires after the 2027 season and is worth around $2 billion.

Record television ratings this season has now thrust the NRL into an incredibly powerful position heading into discussions.


There are genuine hopes that the new deal, given rugby league is now the No.1-watched sport in Australia, could pull between $4b to $5b.

The AFL’s deal is worth $4.5b.

IMG provides management services for media rights, fan development, brand licensing, sporting events, talent management and individual athletes.

In August, IMG acted as a negotiator in the UFC’s $7.7 billion deal for international media rights.

“We help our clients grow through data-driven, fan-first strategies, new commercial opportunities and premium sports content and distribution,” an IMG statement said.

“From media rights and consulting, to fan base development and digital transformation, we are a trusted adviser to rights-holders around the globe.

“We work together to bring any strategy, campaign, or idea to life; delivering content, technology and products that fuel the emotions and excitement unique to world-class sport.”

This year’s NRL grand final was the highest average television audience for any program in 2025 with an average audience of 4.46 million and 6.4 million Australians watching at some point on Channel 9.

Those figures obliterated the AFL’s grand final ratings.

Originally published as Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo hold secret London meeting with IMG executives over NRL broadcasting

I hope that meeting didn't involve Nigel Wood at any level, as his sole interest is keeping Bradford Bulls at any price at the expense of other clubs who have had more success in recent years and who have better stadiums.

 

[jason taylor]

I don't think so at all. I think the NRL wants some prestige and brand power that'll grow as big a TV audience as possible. Wigan, Saint Helens are like Souths in that they're big brands that transcend their geographical area.
You're trying to put together a shiny prestigious league to sell the dream to broadcasters.. you're not doing that with Wakefield or Leigh.. Castleford.. Huddersfield..yuk. backwater towns nobody cares about with so real success that have been relegated multiple times, if they were going to be a strong club, they've had over a hundred years to achieve that. All they've really achieved is a successful chook raffle.

If it’s about transcending geographical areas, why are you suggesting two Hull teams - particularly when FC are struggling both on the field and in the IMG rankings?

If you are making judgements based on geographical considerations/population size you’d definitely keep York in.

 

[Taking The Two]

I think there would end up being some compromise and probably landing back on 12 teams rather than cutting 14 down to 10 in one hit.

You’ve probably got 12 clubs either in the right position right now or moving in the right direction. Saints, Wigan, Leeds, Warrington, Hull FC, Catalans and Hull KR probably score well enough in any set of criteria lay in front of them, barring an issue or two here and there and then you’ve got York, Wakefield and Toulouse moving in the right direction and then a new London in its infancy. Leigh are doing well but may be seen to have a ceiling, Huddersfield have plans to move to a new stadium, Cas have overhauled their back office this winter and Oldham are moving forwards in the Championship.