London take over

[Perth Red]

Worthy of its own thread with all the speculation of Dolphins buying London.

Former Kangaroos forward Matt Adamson will jet out to England next week, charged with a job that could change the shape of the rugby league world.

Adamson and veteran English administrator Gary Hetherington have been given the task of resurrecting the code in London.

And if they succeed, the ramifications will be felt in both hemispheres.

With thousands of Aussies and Kiwis living in London, the Broncos could attract a massive following if they get things right.

In their favour is the fact that London has 10 import spots open for this year - and there's a host of talented fringe NRL players who clubs would be happy to let go.

Adamson - who played under Hetherington at Leeds - has been working as a player agent in Queensland in recent years and has a good eye for talent.

The former Parramatta, Penrith and Canberra forward declined to talk to Wide World of Sports on the record.

"It's too soon but it is exciting times," was all he was willing to say.

NRL great looking to 'change the shape' of league world

'The ramifications will be felt in both hemispheres'

www.nine.com.au

 

[Perth Red]

Leeds Rhinos CEO Gary Hetherington is reportedly set to step down from his lengthy association with the club to take up a similar role heading up Championship side London Broncos.

That is according to Forty20 magazine, who say that Hetherington will become the executive chairman of the Broncos when he leaves his role at Leeds later this year.

London have entered into an agreement with NRL heavyweights Dolphins that will attempt to catapult the sport in the capital to new heights – with Hetherington at the centre of the proposals, according to the reports.

But perhaps most interestingly, a new era for Leeds will be ushered in by Jamie Jones-Buchanan becoming the new CEO in Hetherington’s place.

Hetherington has been working with the Broncos ever since David Hughes announced plans to sell the club at the end of last season. He has been acting as a broker for interested parties who have been looking at taking on the Championship club.

And it appears those plans are now accelerating fast, with Hetherington set to end a near 30-year association with the Rhinos to go full-time at London.

He came on board at Leeds at the advent of the Super League era and revived the clubs’ fortunes – making them one of the biggest forces in the game for a prolonged period.

Leeds won a plethora of trophies and were renowned as one of the sport’s biggest and most successful sides.

However, Hetherington relinquished his involvement in Leeds’ rugby operations last year, with former Salford CEO Ian Blease stepping in as part of a revamp of the club.

And now, it appears Hetherington will leave Leeds altogether, with Jones-Buchanan reportedly eyed up to step into the breach as a new era at AMT Headingley – and the Broncos – begins.

Leeds Rhinos CEO 'to step down' to take role at RFL Championship club

Leeds Rhinos CEO Gary Hetherington is reportedly set to step down from his lengthy association with the club to take up a role at London Broncos.

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[Foreign Legion]

Things are getting serious... if that's the case maybe Salford will survive as it's in proximity to Manchester.

 

[Perth Red]

Missed this earlier in year. Could be an investment group rather than dolphins buying the broncos?


Wests Tigers legend Robbie Farah has admitted he was in the running to purchase London Broncos, as the club inch closer to a successful takeover.

The Broncos are in talks with an Australian investment group who are vying to take control of the club after previous owner David Hughes indicated he would be relinquishing control of the Championship club following London’s relegation from Super League.

Speculation had suggested Brisbane Broncos were looking at a takeover – something they denied themselves earlier this week.

But late last year, rumours emerged that Farah, alongside business Jay Ayoub and several others, were themselves looking at purchasing London and running the club.

And Farah has admitted to Wide World of Sports those rumours were indeed correct – but the proposition ‘didn’t quite stack up’ after they were approached by former London head coach Tony Rea.

The legendary NRL hooker said: “It all came about through Tony Rea who I’ve known for years. He floated the idea to us and we looked into it but it didn’t quite stack up, even though the potential is there.”

London remain in talks about potential fresh investment that would save the club’s long-term future and allow them to plan for life without Hughes.

They are confident they can improve their IMG grading sufficiently over the coming years to challenge for a return to Super League, despite plenty of controversy over their position in the rankings across the last 12 months.

NRL icon lifts lid on potential plan to purchase London Broncos

Wests Tigers legend Robbie Farah has admitted he was in the running to purchase London Broncos, as the club inch closer to a successful takeover.

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[RL The greatest game]

Still nothing on the London Broncos website about any potential takeover.

 

[Perth Red]

Still nothing on the London Broncos website about any potential takeover.

all very hush hush. I suppose after the salford take over fiasco everyone is playing their cards close to their chest until the i‘s are dotted. Hetherington announcement and now Adamson heading over suggests it’s happening. Who the owner is is the unknown.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

I lost interest when the headline says "NRL Great" Matt Adamson lol

 

[Gobsmacked]

Sounds promising.

Super League expansion in 2026 mooted as takeover of Championship club edges closer - Serious About Rugby League

Super League could be set to become a 14-team league next season, according to a City AM report. It comes as an Australian consortium edge closer to completing their takeover of Championship club London Broncos. The Broncos were relegated from Super League last season and with long-term owner...

www.seriousaboutrl.com

 

[jim_57]

14 teams makes sense but as ever it will be hard to get the clubs to agree to split the funding even further.

Going off IMG ratings, assuming Salford drop down significantly, it would be the current 12 minus Salford plus Toulouse, London & York. Bradford were just behind York so they’d be a chance as well.

 

[RedVee]

Do we know who this consortium is?

 

[Gobsmacked]

14 teams makes sense but as ever it will be hard to get the clubs to agree to split the funding even further.

Going off IMG ratings, assuming Salford drop down significantly, it would be the current 12 minus Salford plus Toulouse, London & York. Bradford were just behind York so they’d be a chance as well.

All the sides mentioned are everything we could hope for, all increase the geographical spread and represent large population and potential fan bases.
They all need to happen:
London
Toulouse
York
Bradford.
16 team league

If the NRL did buy a steak in the league, 100 million pounds for (x) percent, that money could be used to fund the expansion for 20 years .

That's why you invest in things isn't it? That's why you source investment isn't?

I think that the NRL under the current leadership are becoming very in tune with how exactly to grow our great game. The game in England and France presents very cost effective growth potential.

 

[Perth Red]

Sounds promising.

Super League expansion in 2026 mooted as takeover of Championship club edges closer - Serious About Rugby League

Super League could be set to become a 14-team league next season, according to a City AM report. It comes as an Australian consortium edge closer to completing their takeover of Championship club London Broncos. The Broncos were relegated from Super League last season and with long-term owner...

www.seriousaboutrl.com

The clubs have just revolted over a lower tv grant. They arent about to split the pot another two ways and lose even more money.

 

[Perth Red]

All the sides mentioned are everything we could hope for, all increase the geographical spread and represent large population and potential fan bases.
They all need to happen:
London
Toulouse
York
Bradford.
16 team league

If the NRL did buy a steak in the league, 100 million pounds for (x) percent, that money could be used to fund the expansion for 20 years .

That's why you invest in things isn't it? That's why you source investment isn't?

I think that the NRL under the current leadership are becoming very in tune with how exactly to grow our great game. The game in England and France presents very cost effective growth potential.

Neither bradford or London currently have the funds to be sustainable in SL. The current grant is around 1.5mill a year, those clubs would need 3-4mill a year each. 100 mill would fund it for ten years, maybe.
But London have had 27 years in SL and still no way near sustainable. Maybe the newbackers have deep pockets and will agree to enter without a grant but hard to see where the ROI is for them.

Toulouse and Bradford at least have a chance. York would need some backers.

 

[Perth Red]

Super League​

Super League expansion in 2026 mooted as takeover of Championship club edges closer​

Super League could be set to become a 14-team league next season, according to a City AM report. It comes as an Australian consortium edge closer to completing their takeover of Championship club London Broncos.
The Broncos were relegated from Super League last season and with long-term owner David Hughes choosing to step away, the club has struggled for traction in the second tier so far this season under Mike Eccles.
However, it seems fresh investment is on the way, with a group from down under agreeing terms to purchase the club and take it into a bright new era. Of course, the ambition for those new owners will be to see the Broncos in Super League and with promotion dependent on their IMG rating, they will have to make swift improvements in the capital.

The report claims those new owners have already been in contact with IMG ahead of their big takeover announcement, while it is also suggested that a Super League expansion could be on the cards.

Twelve teams currently compete in Super League and there has been talk of that number increasing in the coming years with the likes of Bradford Bulls, Toulouse Olympique and York Knights all pushing to become top flight outfits sooner rather than later. If the report is to be believed, there is chance that move could be made next year, with at least two sides to be welcomed up from the second tier.

London will hope to be in the conversation and with fresh investment on the way they’ll be keen to find themselves competing at the top end of the division at the business end of the season.

Interestingly, the report also adds that the new owners have struck up links with NRL clubs Penrith Panthers and the Dolphins in order to bring in a raft of talent on loan.

Super League expansion in 2026 mooted as takeover of Championship club edges closer - Serious About Rugby League

Super League could be set to become a 14-team league next season, according to a City AM report. It comes as an Australian consortium edge closer to completing their takeover of Championship club London Broncos. The Broncos were relegated from Super League last season and with long-term owner...

www.seriousaboutrl.com

 

[Perth Red]

Super League could expand to 14 clubs next season according to a fresh report – as London Broncos close in on not only new owners, but affiliate deals with several NRL clubs.

That’s according to CityAM, who say that a group of businesses have agreed terms with London’s long-serving owner David Hughes, who is selling the club following relegation back to the Championship.

As previously reported, Gary Hetherington has brokered the takeover deal, and forward Rhinos forward Matt Adamson will lead the day-to-day running of the club.

But the fresh information on the takeover makes for intriguing reading: not just for London, but for the whole of Super League.

That is because CityAM suggest that expansion back to 14 teams is firmly on the agenda for 2026, something RL Commercial had hinted may not be the case previously.

However, the report suggests that London’s new owners have already sat down with strategic partners IMG and asked how they can quickly improve their score to ensure a swift return to Super League.

London were ranked as high as 14th in last year’s gradings, a rise of 10 places, having previously been ranked 24th at the end of 2024. They are confident of making further strides this year.

That would potentially leave them near the front of the queue to get a place in Super League if expansion goes through to 14 teams.

Furthermore, the reports suggest that Penrith Panthers and the Dolphins are among the clubs who have agreed partnerships with London. That would allow the Broncos to work with their top youngsters on loan deals – opening up a huge resource stream that no other club would have.

Super League expansion to 14 teams back on as London set for NRL deal

Super League could expand to 14 clubs next season according to reports: as London Broncos close in on not only new owners, but partnerships with NRL clubs.

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[RedVee]

Maybe if the NRL do buy in the aim might be to get to the stage where the grant meets or exceeds the cap figure.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Neither bradford or London currently have the funds to be sustainable in SL. The current grant is around 1.5mill a year, those clubs would need 3-4mill a year each. 100 mill would fund it for ten years, maybe.
But London have had 27 years in SL and still no way near sustainable. Maybe the newbackers have deep pockets and will agree to enter without a grant but hard to see where the ROI is for them.

Toulouse and Bradford at least have a chance. York would need some backers.

"If the report is to be believed, there is chance that move could be made next year, with at least two sides to be welcomed up from the second tier."

Why do you speak with such arrogance?
Seriously? You've literally been wrong about everything.
There's been a push by these clubs for sl for some time now, they're not pushing to be included because there's no way they can afford it... maybe they can't but this push suggests they can't be far off...

London, Toulouse, York, Bradford..big population centres . If done well will lift ratings and get a better TV deal.
It's no surprise that YOU use this argument to push for a Perth team, because you live in Perth but expansion in England? Hell no, not possible, simply because you already have a team in England.

Everything you post is pure self interest.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Maybe if the NRL do buy in the aim might be to get to the stage where Grant meets or exceeds the cap figure.

This is exactly what has been learned in the last 2 decades by the NRL.
SL needs a cash injection, new teams with a bigger geographical footprint to bring it back into relevance in the broader population, that will boost interest, ratings and revenue, which sets them on a path to be able to implement the NRL’S blueprint there.

Imagine that the biggest population in England is not represented ( London) .
Nobody in London is interested in watching Hull play Hull .. obviously that hurts ratings..

 

[Perth Red]

"If the report is to be believed, there is chance that move could be made next year, with at least two sides to be welcomed up from the second tier."

Why do you speak with such arrogance?
Seriously? You've literally been wrong about everything.
There's been a push by these clubs for sl for some time now, they're not pushing to be included because there's no way they can afford it... maybe they can't but this push suggests they can't be far off...

London, Toulouse, York, Bradford..big population centres . If done well will lift ratings and get a better TV deal.
It's no surprise that YOU use this argument to push for a Perth team, because you live in Perth but expansion in England? Hell no, not possible, simply because you already have a team in England.

Everything you post is pure self interest.

lol, its obvious that at this time york, bradford and especially london dont have the backing to be in SL. They dont have the fanbase or the big money owners to support them.
Now if that changes, sure. But as of today none of them do. Its questionable if Toulouse do given they also will have to front up travel and accommodation costs and its not that long ago they were taking about being in financial stress.

If NRL buys in and covers their costs sure, if they get rich owners sure, if the next Tv deal is massive and gives club double the grant maybe, but as of today swapping a basket case Salford for any of them that would struggle is hardly a great step forward.

That isnt arrogance, its just a stark reality of where the English game is at with its current centralized revenue. Unless you can avg a 10k plus crowd you are going to be losing money, lots of it. Even then clubs like St Helens with a big sponsorship portfolio, their own stadium and a 11k crowd avg are still losing 1-2million pounds a year. So either you have owners with deep pockets or your going to struggle.

I'm all for expansion in UK, I've said many times the ideal is a 16 club comp with Wales, London, Toulouse, Bradford and York in it., But it needs to be able to afford it and it is a very very long way from that at the moment.

 

[Perth Red]

This is exactly what has been learned in the last 2 decades by the NRL.
SL needs a cash injection, new teams with a bigger geographical footprint to bring it back into relevance in the broader population, that will boost interest, ratings and revenue, which sets them on a path to be able to implement the NRL’S blueprint there.

Imagine that the biggest population in England is not represented ( London) .
Nobody in London is interested in watching Hull play Hull .. obviously that hurts ratings..

London has been in SL for 21 years. Is not like it hasn't been tried, over and over again. Hopefully one day they can make it work but its been a long time coming!