The Las Vegas Thread

[The Great Dane]

I’m optimistic that this works.

Hypothetically if it does, could we see more international double headers? Perhaps on a monthly basis to kinda mirror what the ufc does with spread out numbered events. If so, where?

Interesting to see what comes of all this.

Monthly would be massive overkill, but an annual or semi-annual international series similar to what the American Major Leagues have been known to do wouldn't be out of the question, especially if the NRL could get some international promoters interested.

England would be an obvious next step, but who knows if the NRL could realistically sell enough tickets at e.g. Old Trafford or Wembley to make it worth it. Honolulu would have potential if they went about it the right way, and it'd probably be cheaper and less disruptive than England or other events in North America or Europe. It'd depend a lot on the interest of local government and business I guess.

 

[jim_57]

I suspect an NRL double header would sell out in England - the whole rugby league community would be interested in going, as the NRL is held in such high regard, and that’s without any ex-pat that would want to attend.

If Vegas goes well, it could be a gateway to similar events - even if it’s just Vegas, Wembley and NZ (would work massively if they do bring in a pacific team), would be a money spinner. If they become big events, that are attracting tourists, there’d soon be other big cities wanting a slice and willing to bid for them. A controversial one would be getting in bed with the Arabs - they love their combat sports. We’re openly going to Vegas for the gaming money, so we can’t really claim the moral high ground, so why not take the big Arab money.

England is the low hanging fruit if/when they’re looking at more international games (not including NZ). RL presence over there with the option to involve & cross promote with Super League clubs, plus one club already regularly goes over there for the WCC so sending another one isn’t a huge stretch, it’s been done in the past.

I’d like to see an idea like this as a way of evening up the home game fixtures again while we’re at it. Once we’re back to 18 then 9 clubs ‘host’ at Magic and 9 clubs ‘host’ a game in a series of double headers and/or one off games scattered throughout the year like Perth double header last year and Vegas this year.

For example:
1 @ London (DH with SL game), 2 @ Vegas, 2 @ Auckland (Eden Park), 2 @ Melbourne/Perth/Adelaide and 2 @ Melbourne/Perth/Adelaide/Anywhere else.

 

[gerg]

I’m optimistic too. We have a great game that the Americans will love. We need to find the right way to present it to their audience but I think the Vegas experiment is a great start.

I'm not optimistic but I am hopeful. Having lived in the US I've seen first hand how narrow minded they can be with 'non-US' sports. Will be very interesting to compare some data from this year and then again in 5 years. It's a real shame the Raiders (the entertainers of the league) didn't get a go this year. Those seppos would have loved Rapana, the lunatic.

 

[Fangs]

I’m optimistic too. We have a great game that the Americans will love. We need to find the right way to present it to their audience but I think the Vegas experiment is a great start.

Now now Cold Wet. We still have to see off the imminent threat of the Brumbies.

Word is Striling Mortlock is charming the local population of Las Vegas as we speak.

 

[Iamback]

I’m optimistic too. We have a great game that the Americans will love. We need to find the right way to present it to their audience but I think the Vegas experiment is a great start.

Somewhere like Hawaii with their Pacific Islander heritage should like the game and being a couple of hours closer makes games on at a better time

 

[Iamback]

I’m optimistic that this works.

Hypothetically if it does, could we see more international double headers? Perhaps on a monthly basis to kinda mirror what the ufc does with spread out numbered events. If so, where?

Interesting to see what comes of all this.

The aim is to grow the grow the international Audience, Only playing in Vegas probably isn't best for that. Assuming it works of course

 

[Iamback]

We have one team in England this year a week before Vegas. London or Manchester could be an option the week after WCC if another team goes over.

Other team can play one of the big English clubs or Catalans to make a tour of it as well then ideally work with Super League to have a double header the week later one NRL & one SL game.

If there is a week off. No reason you can't play a game the week after the WCC

 

[jim_57]

If there is a week off. No reason you can't play a game the week after the WCC

This year for example Panthers play Wigan the week before Vegas, so another team could go over and play Leeds or Catalans that week then they stay and play Panthers as an NRL game the same weekend as Vegas.

Then you can mix them in with the Vegas teams to play each other in the first few weeks.

 

[Iamback]

This year for example Panthers play Wigan the week before Vegas, so another team could go over and play Leeds or Catalans that week then they stay and play Panthers as an NRL game the same weekend as Vegas.

Then you can mix them in with the Vegas teams to play each other in the first few weeks.

I guess they want to see how teams recover from Vegas 1st

 

[jim_57]

I guess they want to see how teams recover from Vegas 1st

Yeh media has been using WCC as an excuse for slow starts for years so it’ll be interesting to see if they pull the travel fatigue card if any of the Vegas teams are losing games.

Realistically other sports have far more demanding travel schedules so it wouldn’t be a major factor if a team is doing poorly.

 

[Pippen94]

Yeh media has been using WCC as an excuse for slow starts for years so it’ll be interesting to see if they pull the travel fatigue card if any of the Vegas teams are losing games.

Realistically other sports have far more demanding travel schedules so it wouldn’t be a major factor if a team is doing poorly.

..NFL offers teams bye round after London games..biggest sporting league in world seems to think it's a thing..

 

[jim_57]

..NFL offers teams bye round after London games..biggest sporting league in world seems to think it's a thing..

Didn’t say it wasn’t a thing, that’s why Vegas teams will get a 2 week break between games and any potential England game would be the same. It’s not going to stop a team winning the premiership 30 weeks later if they’re good enough.

 

[Pippen94]

Didn’t say it wasn’t a thing, that’s why Vegas teams will get a 2 week break between games and any potential England game would be the same. It’s not going to stop a team winning the premiership 30 weeks later if they’re good enough.

.. that's not what U said, but anyway..

 

[Canard]

For mine, a Vegas style event in England has much more of a chance of longer term success.

 

[Iamback]

For mine, a Vegas style event in England has much more of a chance of longer term success.

The game has support in England though, Not sure it lifts the game enough by itself

 

[Wb1234]

They should focus on Vegas

but potential other places

1. Wembley
2. Dubai

Wembley would sell out no problems but going to London isn’t as appealing as going to Vegas but the game in England would get a massive boost

 

[Iamback]

Yeh media has been using WCC as an excuse for slow starts for years so it’ll be interesting to see if they pull the travel fatigue card if any of the Vegas teams are losing games.

Realistically other sports have far more demanding travel schedules so it wouldn’t be a major factor if a team is doing poorly.

1st up is the issue. They do these mid season elsewhere

 

[Canard]

The game has support in England though, Not sure it lifts the game enough by itself

The purpose of the Vegas game, as stated my many, is to raise the profile of the NRL with betting agencies and TV companies.

That's much more obtainable in the UK.

 

[Iamback]

The purpose of the Vegas game, as stated my many, is to raise the profile of the NRL with betting agencies and TV companies.

That's much more obtainable in the UK.

The paragraph here sums it up.

Increase the global audience.

The week before Vegas Penrith play Wigan, The game is on FTA in UK the game could in theory add the reach of that game as part of the audience.

It is virtually zero presence in US

 

[Canard]

The paragraph here sums it up.

Increase the global audience.

The week before Vegas Penrith play Wigan, The game is on FTA in UK the game could in theory add the reach of that game as part of the audience.

It is virtually zero presence in US

You'd be suprised by how little presence the NRL has in the England also, particularly in the South.