The Las Vegas Thread

[kurt faulk]

Wasn't a major focus originally to try and gain a slice (1%) of the US gambling dollar and TV revenue? It just appears there are mixed messages now by introducing super league, playing games at times to maximise tv ratings back here in Australia rather than USA, marketing as a week for supporters to enjoy a week in Vegas. While good businesses pivot as market conditions and results change, but as others have said, what is the purpose of going to America. Are we selling rugby league or the NRL? It just appears the ARL is trying to appease everyone and might end up not appeasing anybody.

The had the Raiders v warriors game second so it could be shown on fta fox sports in America. If they wanted to cater for the Australian market they would have had the two nrl games back to back.

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[Gobsmacked]

The had the Raiders v warriors game second so it could be shown on fta fox sports in America. If they wanted to cater for the Australian market they would have had the two nrl games back to back.

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It going to be interesting to see how it rated in the USA this time.

 

[Canard]

Organising a wcc for Vegas actually has more time than organising a normal wcc which is usually held 2 weeks before

Either location the teams won’t be known until after each grand final

Only one team has to travel under the current WCC format.

And I think its traditional sits best being played in England, to give the "underdog" more of and advantage.

Its also never really been a a big draw for away fans, no matter where its scheduled.

 

[Sime_11]

why not Vegas weekend and run it over 2 days?

1 x ESL & NRL game each day

or

1x ESL and 1 Women's game to start each day before the NRL game afterwards


or the WCC replaces the Womens game on day 2 - means every NRL team plays in round 1, just the GF winner plays for a trophy

 

[Wb1234]

Yeh so the pay tv ratings as per the ratings thread were nuts

 

[Gobsmacked]

why not Vegas weekend and run it over 2 days?

1 x ESL & NRL game each day

or

1x ESL and 1 Women's game to start each day before the NRL game afterwards


or the WCC replaces the Womens game on day 2 - means every NRL team plays in round 1, just the GF winner plays for a trophy

Stadium hire × 2
Crowd size ÷2

 

[kurt faulk]

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It's the opening round of the nrl season. They're not gonna have a wcc game there.

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[Perth Red]

The nrl will learn some scheduling lessons this time around and get better for next year. I think overall it has been a success this year across numerous metrics.

I feel like it’s an easy decision for next year..

Game 1 - St helens vs Leeds rhinos
Game 2 - storm vs cowboys
Game 3 - dragons vs bulldogs

4 games is just too much in a day. And I don’t think we’re ready to increase the format to 2 days

I'd add in HKR v Leigh, Stick with the 4 games. Adds an extra 10k English fans to the stadium ($1.5mill revenue) and will increase the buzz around the town having 4 sets of singing loony English fans. No reason it couldn't crack 50k then.

 

[Comfy]

The nfl was able to expand into the UK, because there was a demand to see the sport. There is no demand for nrl in usa, we are manufacturing one.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Plenty of people have this opinion and its fair enough.

But if its true that the game breaks even whats the harm ? Its a free throw at the stumps which one day may lead to something good..or even dare i say great.

This articulates perfectly how I feel about Vegas.

 

[Wb1234]

The nfl was able to expand into the UK, because there was a demand to see the sport. There is no demand for nrl in usa, we are manufacturing one.

Lucky the pommies never had that attitude in 1907 to Australia


Pommie clubs each gave up home games so lost 100k pounds in revenue. Wonder if the arl compensated them

 

[Perth Red]

Yeah as much as it was great having the English supporters I think the the focus should be NRL. You want people to walk away with a clear and focused message - watch nrl for the best rugby competition in the world.

With the super league and an international they tried to push a lot of different messages. It would be confusing for people unfamiliar to the sport.

The more I think about it the more I think it should be 3 games… 1 NRLW and 2 NRL that’s it.

Maybe the nrl can think of another way to get more involved with super league, but I think it’s just a bit too much and too confusing for Vegas.

Problem is, unless they can convince Americans to go, the crowd will drop away. If it wasn't for having the SL teams there this years crowd would have been way down on last year. By year 3 and 4 it could be down to 20k as the neutrals have been and done it.

 

[Canard]

The nfl was able to expand into the UK, because there was a demand to see the sport. There is no demand for nrl in usa, we are manufacturing one.

They haven't expanded into the UK. They play games there.

In fact New White Hart Lane would be the perfect place for an overseas NRL/Origin game, a much better venue, and size, than New Wembley.

Good thinking....

 

[Perth Red]

If you want two games then wcc plus one nrl

Three is ok the super league game can be on first and it normally wouldn’t be a mismatch like that

I didn’t mind the super league game that was ok the women’s test was putrid

Hull fc v kr would be an excellent show for super league

Not unless Hull FC improve :

 

[ColdWetPanther]

PVL has already came out and said 4 games was probably one too many.

And the jillaroos will be cut

Be cut back to 1 x SL & 2 x NRL.

I seriously find it surprising the whinging about it.

They gave the women's game a crack but ultimately it just didnt work with the opponents for the day.

You live and you learn and PVL is keen to get the balance right.

I think its great PVL & Abdo are quick to admit this and will tinker again next year.

Its great leadership.

Agree with this too. I love that PVL is a risk-taker, but equally he pivots quickly if things aren’t working/don’t work.

 

[Perth Red]

PVL has already came out and said 4 games was probably one too many.

And the jillaroos will be cut

Be cut back to 1 x SL & 2 x NRL.

I seriously find it surprising the whinging about it.

They gave the women's game a crack but ultimately it just didnt work with the opponents for the day.

You live and you learn and PVL is keen to get the balance right.

I think its great PVL & Abdo are quick to admit this and will tinker again next year.

Its great leadership.

They failed, not the womens game. Thinking that a part time England side was going to be any matchfor a full time world champion Australian team was insane. A womens origin or even better an Aus v NZ game (given warriors where playing) would have at least been entertaining. Vlandys and co fcked up massively choosing this fixture. The fault is with them for this one.

 

[Comfy]

They haven't expanded into the UK. They play games there.

In fact New White Hart Lane would be the perfect place for an overseas NRL/Origin game, a much better venue, and size, than New Wembley.

Good thinking....

That's what I meant, expanded into the UK market

 

[Timmah]

The only problem with a 2 day schedule is
1 doubling the cost of the stadium hire
2 the crowd will be spread out over 2 days, the stadium will be half empty both days. I doubt many neatral fans will go on the day thier team isnt playing.

My logic here is that it works well for Magic Round, and with an NRL and an SL each day, it shouldn't matter too much. Some good scheduling should ensure a 75%+ capacity turnout each day I'd think

 

[League Unlimited News]

 

[i0Nic]

Just go back to 2x NRL games, scrap womens and scrap ESL.

The more games the more it makes it feel like a carnival style event not a top tier professional sport.
The more they mix up NRL and ESL it dilutes the brand and confuses the message.

KISS principle - KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID