
Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington has confirmed he is “doing what I can” to safeguard London Broncos’ future whilst also outlining how his involvement affects his role at the Headingley club.
According to the Sun on Sunday, NRL giants Brisbane Broncos are in “advanced talks” about investing in their namesake club, under a deal brokered by Hetherington.
Hetherington today confirmed he has been asked to help London find new owners after David Hughes stepped down at the end of last season, following London’s relegation from Betfred Super League to the Championship.
Outlining his involvement with London, Hetherington said: “When David Hughes – who I have known for 30 years or so – announced he was coming out of London Broncos, I was in conversation with Jason Loubser, who is their chief executive.
“He said they have a real problem because they don’t have any other owners and need to find new ownership.
“He asked if there was anybody I know who might be interested and I said ‘There isn’t, but I’ll get my head around it’, so for the past two or three months I have been working privately, behind the scenes, just to try to identify who might be interested and so on. That is what I am still doing.”
Gary Hetherington clarifies Leeds Rhinos role after London Broncos’ takeover reports

Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Hetherington, who founded and ran Sheffield Eagles before moving to Leeds 29 years ago, relinquished part of his Rhinos role to new sporting director Ian Blease midway through 2024, but remains in overall charge of the Headingley club.
“I talked it through with [Rhinos chairman] Paul Caddick at the time and he is very supportive of London and rugby league in the south of England, as I am,” he added.
“I have always been an advocate of London and I’ve said if there’s any way I can help, I’ll be keen to do so. But I am not coming out of Leeds Rhinos, my position there is unaffected.”
Without new backers, London’s hopes of returning to Super League look bleak. Hetherington admitted.
“London had a single owner in David Hughes – they’ve never really had an organisation, they’ve just had a team,” he said.
“Now he has pulled out, it has left them very vulnerable, so I have been working behind the scenes just to help them and to identify people who could add value to their operation and become an owner of the place.
“Those discussions are continuing while I am in Australia. I’m here basically on a family holiday – my daughter lives just outside Sydney – but while I am here I will have discussions with people and encourage them to get involved.”
But he stressed: “I have been doing what I can to help London, but I am chief executive of Leeds Rhinos and my position there is unaffected.
“Paul [Caddick] has been fully aware of my involvement with London Broncos and is a big supporter of that.
“He is as keen as I am that they get on a level footing and hopefully prosper in the future.”
Brisbane Broncos previously took ownership of the capital club in 1994, renaming them from London Crusaders.
He declined to comment on their involvement, but confirmed: “Quite a number of parties are showing an interest.”
