adamkungl
Immortal
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Don't need to fork out on NRL talent to get out of League 1, just need a full time squad. Championship a bit tougher.
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Agree with everything except cronk,
I'm confused as to whether they are starting in League 1 or Championship as I have seen articles saying they want to start in Championship and some saying they will start at League 1 (hoping it will be 2019 as the logo suggests). Be it Championship or League 1 it's massive for the game, will be the first professional American rugby league club and a step into the American sporting landscape, maybe 5-6 more Toronto's and New York and that could be the start of a professional North American competition, can't wait to see this team on the field!
Methinks the Yanks would be too impatient to 'nurture' a winning team . . . something the Roosters won't waste time on
Hard to argue.http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...m/news-story/80d30606f92d77676fb27f1317889d4c
PAUL Gallen or Billy Slater to New York?
Not if you want the club to survive.
The Saturday Telegraph can reveal David Niu, the unofficial ‘godfather’ of rugby league in America, has warned the proposed Big Apple bid team against outlaying its $1 million war chest on ageing NRL superstars.
Responsible for igniting The Greatest Game of All in the States almost 25 years ago, the former St George halfback has been invited into preliminary discussions with the group as it seeks to create a successful business plan.
And while plenty of NRL stars — and their managers — have spoken loudly about playing in New York from 2018, Niu has cautioned against it.
Gallen had expressed an interest in finishing his career in New York.
“Because bringing an NRL superstar here will be exciting for one person — the guy getting that fat cheque,’’ he said.
“Instead, I’d suggest they spend the money on robust marketing and advertising campaigns.
“No one here in the States will relate to a big name NRL player.
“It will be OK for a few diehard expats, but in terms of generating publicity I think the group should look to sign higher-profile US rugby union players.
“Americans will get behind a local hero.
“Plus, a recent Nielsen report estimated there are 40 million rugby fans in the US. You want to convert some of them, while also giving young rugby players something to aspire to.”
Instrumental in creating both the US competition and its national team, Niu has since switched sports to become a corporate heavyweight, first, with the Arena Football League and now Super Sevens Rugby, which launches in July 2018.
Niu was a pioneer for rugby league in the USA.
But will the New York bid, which will likely start out in the English third tier, be successful?
“Look, I’m the eternal optimist,” he said.
“I love the passion surrounding this bid and really hope it works. It’s exciting.
“But time, and plenty of lumps and bumps in the sports business, both here and internationally, tell me the backers of this effort better have deep pockets.
“That, and plenty of stamina.
“Take the announcement, which got plenty of interest in Australia and England, but I haven’t seen any publicity here.
“Timing obviously played a part, with the NFL, NBA, hockey and Major League baseball Championships all going on.
“But that also tells you how competitive the landscape is. And how do you squeeze within that news cycle?”
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The New York bid has emerged following the successful first season of Toronto Wolfpack, which is backed by Australian mining billionaire David Argyle. And while declaring they want to compete in the English Super League, there have also been whispers suggestions these teams are actually the first step toward a US professional league.
“Toronto is the fourth largest media market in North America,” Niu continued.
“So if the goal is to launch these North American teams, then in time create a separate league on this continent, that may make sense.
“And if you’re trying to make league a truly global game, why not start in New York City.”
While promising to support the bid wherever he could, Niu predicted the team would also struggle to reach its projected crowds of 10,000 at Red Bull Stadium, which is actually situated in New Jersey.
“Plus,” Niu continued, “those first couple of years you’ll be playing against Championship or League 1 teams from places like Hemel or Coventry — not exactly household names in the USA. That’s a tough sell.”
Which "higher-profile US rugby union players" is he talking about? I couldn't name even one US RU player and chances are neither could any Usonian sports fans either; the higher-profile athletes in the US with transferable skills would all be gridiron players, none would be RU players.
Yeah I agree with you there, they should go for a few well known linebackers to generate some interest.
Good point
