NRL approach Parramatta & South Sydney to open 2018 season in USA
THE NRL is planning to create history by kicking-off the 2018 season with rugby league’s first premiership match in America.
In a bold and daring move that has the backing of host broadcasters Fox Sports and Channel Nine, the NRL has secretly sounded out interest from Parramatta and South Sydney, to be part of the US-first.
The official NRL competition match would be played on the west coast of the United States on a Saturday evening, which would ensure that due to the difference in international time zones, NRL fans back home in Australia would view the match on a Sunday afternoon.
Boasting high-profile support from the US, both the Rabbitohs and Eels are attractive options to the NRL.
The pulling power of South Sydney co-owner and Hollywood actor Russell Crowe is an undeniable vehicle for the NRL to promote rugby league in the US.
So too, is Golden Globe award-winning actor Simon Baker, best known for his work in The Mentalist, who is a diehard Eels fan.
And despite his most recent headlines, former San Francisco 49ers experiment and Gold Coast Titans fullback Jarryd Hayne would also be used as a ‘face’ and marketing tool, to lure Americans, who have heard of Hayne, but little of rugby league.
Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delaney confirmed his appeal in supporting the US-proposal.
“I love the idea of a game in the States,’’ Delaney said.
“Whether it’s the opening round or another round, taking a game to the States is a great idea. We’d love to work with the NRL on furthering the love of rugby league through the world.
“There are similarities between the NFL and NRL, but most ‘Yanks’ would have their jaw on the ground if they saw our athletes operate.
“I know Fox USA would also get right behind us also.’’
Nine’s head of sport Tom Malone added that if the opportunity to promote the game was a positive one, he’d support it.
“We’d definitely consider any proposal on it’s merits, especially something that is important to the NRL like playing a game in the US,’’ Malone said.
“We’d certainly be interested to hear more about the idea.’’
There are currently two scheduling possibilities being discussed within the halls of League Central.
The first option is that the US fixture kicks-off the season on a stand-alone weekend of footy in early March, on the Sunday afternoon prior to the remaining round one matches being played, from the following Thursday night.
The other option is that the match to played on US soil is staged on the same weekend as the remaining round one fixtures, with the two teams chosen to showcase rugby league in America, then provided with the longest possible time to return home and recover for their round two matches.
If the first option was chosen, the NRL have also discussed hosting their annual season launch back in Australia to coincide with the US-fixture.
Similar to the successful season launch held among fans and members at Martin Place a fortnight ago, live-sites and food stalls would be provided for fans to watch the American-based clash on jumbo screens.
The US odyssey would also be seen as a firm statement by the NRL that the season draw is now in their hands, after more than a decade of being contracted to negotiate with the host broadcaster on when and where games are played.
And already, the NRL are ahead in their planning of the official NRL draw for next season.
It’s hoped that instead of being revealed in early December, the 2018 NRL draw will be released soon after the NRL grand final on October 1.
The NRL are yet to identify possible venues for the historic match, however several smaller College football and rugby union stadiums, including Berkeley and Stanford University’s would hold more appeal than that of a major NFL team’s.
The NRL have appointed an intermediary with an intimate knowledge of sports in North America to be involved in the process.
While a premiership match has never been played in the US, Americans have had their share of several teasers.
The Rabbitohs are no stranger to showcasing rugby league in the States having played an exhibition match with Leeds in Florida in 2008.
A State of Origin match between NSW and Queensland was also played in Long Beach, California in 1987, while 13-years ago, Australia avoided one of the biggest upsets in league history by defeating the USA Tomahawks 36-24 in Philadelphia.
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