Hollywood megastar and South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe shares his vision for rugby league in the USA
He is the most famous name attached to rugby league and if the NRL is any chance of cracking the US market then they need Russell Crowe to lend a helping hand.
Michael Carayannis
August 20, 2023 5:00 am
South Sydney co-owner and Hollywood mega star Russell Crowe says the NRL can crack the desired US market but warned “I don’t think it’s impossible but it’s quite a difficult task.”
Crowe has shared his vision for the game as the NRL looks to make its mark in America ahead of the double header in Las Vegas next year which will kickstart the competition.
Crowe’s South Sydney side will be joined alongside
Brisbane, Manly and the Roosters to be part of the historic event.
The NRL has plans to take the game to the US for at least five years. Crowe said the NRL must remain committed to the project after a few false starts.
“There have been a few half-hearted attempts in the past that have failed to make any real inroads,” Crowe said. “If the plan is to actually make inroads into the market, that needs to be a five to 10 year commitment.”
HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA
The NRL received word just days ago that the NFL had cleared them to use Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders. The stadium holds 65,000.
Crowe said there needs to be broadcast access for the US public to remain engaged.
“Firstly, the game has to be accessible in two ways,” Crowe said. “How do you watch it? “A fan has to be able to see all the games and follow results and be kept up to date with all the variables that a fan likes to track.”
EDUCATION
Rugby league’s similar concept to the NFL in terms of offence and defence will help with the American audience understanding the game according to Crowe.
However it is the assumed knowledge that Australians possess which may be difficult to translate to a new market.
“What I have found personally is that it is very easy to get Americans interested in the game, with our defined period of offence/defence it is similar enough to NFL for them to grasp the basics quickly,” Crowe said.
“An American sports fan is a passionate fan. They love the athleticism, and the speed of the game excites them.
“What is hard to explain sometimes over four to five games is the inconsistency of the way matches are adjudicated.
“Where rugby league has history, mainly UK and Australia long suffering fans are used to the inconsistency and we employ many phrases like “ bounce of the ball” and “rub of the green” to explain the inconsistency away.
“For someone new to the sport, the idea for example, that a forward pass is illegal, yet there are multiple uncalled forward passes in every game, is hard to compute. Especially on scoring plays, when the technology is available to assist a correct decision.
“The same confusion reigns when it comes to defence and what is legal and illegal contact. To really have a chance of expanding the game of rugby league the product has to be consistent.”
KEY AREAS
Crowe said the NRL needed to nail “logistic, effort and timing” to ensure the event would not be a one-off.
“It’s their plan, so, hopefully the NRL have budgeted it properly and can provide well for the teams involved,” Crowe said. “A professional well run environment around the game and player preparation, will send good signals.
“A national broadcaster showing the game in the US, but also across Canada and Mexico has to be the aim.”
HELPING HAND
The NRL would be silly not to use Crowe’s pulling power in the US to promote the game. Crowe and Manly diehard fan Hugh Jackman are major drawcards.
South Sydney are expected to play Manly and the Roosters will play Brisbane. Crowe said he would be willing to help.
“If the NRL can generate interest in the game within America, there may be a small role for me to play in amplifying that interest,” Crowe said.
The matches will be shown on Sunday March 3 in Australia with the rest of the competition to complete round one the following week
