The NRL have agreed to “consider” investing in Super League, however, a major condition on that investment has been put forward.
Talks of NRL investment in Super League is not new but it is a conversation that is increasing in volume amidst major change at the RFL and more financial difficulties for the game in England.
The ongoing Salford Red Devils saga is one of the clear examples of financial worries, however, at a lower level there have been genuine casualties.
Cornwall, one of the few expansion teams in the sport, confirmed that they would be folding with immediate effect just last week. That made them the third team in as many years with London Skolars and West Wales Raiders also going bust.
The situation is clearly reaching a point of being untenable and the Australian competition investing in Super League seems a surefire way to put rugby league in England back on track.
NRL “consider” Super League investment on one crucial condition
That investment could be on its way as with the NRL agreeing to “consider a proposal to buy a 33 per cent stake in the Super League”, according to Michael Chammas of The Sydney Morning Herald.
However, it is not as simply as that with the NRL only willing to consider such investment if they gain “complete administrative control” of the northern competition from 2028.
That would be a monumental change but one that is arguably needed with the NRL believing it would help them grow the game internationally, something that all rugby league fans want.
Incredibly, two Super League team owners are behind this with Wigan Warriors’ Mike Danson and Warrington Wolves’ Simon Moran meeting with NRL officials in Las Vegas in what Chammas has dubbed a “secret meeting”.
Danson and Moran are reportedly speaking to rival Super League clubs before putting together a proposal to those Down Under with Australian Rugby League Commision chief Peter V’landys having previously stated that intervention has to be requested.
Another interesting facet is that the NRL would be “willing to sell back its share” of Super League, once the competition can be financially viable with the NRL not seeing the English game as a cash cow but simply a way to ensure the future and development of international rugby league.
