- Peter V’landys has revealed the NRL are open to buying the Super LeagueÂ
- His comment came after the NRL posted a record revenue of £375million
- The majority of Super League clubs posted financial losses last yearÂ
The Super League could be taken over by the NRL under ambitious plans by the Australian competition.
Peter V’landys, the chair of NRL operator the Australian Rugby League Commission, has revealed for the first time that they are openly looking at buying the British league.
V’landys believes that rugby league could become a $1billion international force if the lucrative NRL also owned the cash-strapped Super League.
‘We’re looking at the UK,’ said V’landys, speaking after the NRL posted a record revenue of £375million for 2024.
‘Never say never. That’s if they want us. The first thing is there’s always two people to an agreement. If they want us, we’ll certainly look at it.
‘At this stage they haven’t approached us, but we’re a firm believer in having a strong game in England and we’re a firm believer in the international game.
The cash-strapped Super League could be taken over by the NRL under ambitious plans
Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys revealed plans to buy the league
While most Super League teams had losses, the NRL had record £375m revenues for 2024
‘You can’t have an international game without England. I don’t want to breach any confidentiality, but it’s important for us that the game in the United Kingdom is strong. At the moment, it’s got its challenges.
‘I’m not being critical of them because they do a great job, but rugby league has to be strong in England. We’ll certainly have discussions with Super League to see how we can assist in the future.’
Super League is owned by Super League Europe, aligned with the governing body for the sport in this country, the Rugby Football League.
The competition is already working closely with the Australian league, with Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves playing each other in the NRL’s Las Vegas event next weekend.
IMG – the global sports marketing giant – signed a 12-year-deal with the RFL and Super League in May 2022 to ‘reimagine’ the sport in this country.
But the majority of Super League clubs posted financial losses last year, with a significant reduction in the Sky Sports TV deal playing a large part in the cash problems.
