NRL open to Super League takeover as comp records $745 million revenue

In the light of the NRL announcing record revenue, Australian Rugby League Commision chief Peter V’landys says the comp would be open to buying out Super League.

It has long been the case that the NRL has been the most dominant and profitable rugby league competition with Super League seemingly spiralling in its wealth and power since the Super League wars, whilst the NRL has gone from strength to strength.

If you needed any evidence of that then look no further than the NRL’s latest yearly report with the competition confirming a surplus, or net profit, of $62.3 million as well as record revenue of $744.9 million.

That marked the fourth consecutive year of profit for the competition and it is only expected to continue to grow with V’landys keen to reach the $1 billion mark.

For reference, $744.9 million Australian dollars converts to £376 million which highlights the huge disparity in the competitions and that is likely the reason why V’landys has been asked about a possible Super League takeover.

According to Reuters, the ARLC chief was asked about the prospect and played it back with a relatively straight bat but conceded there are major injuries facing Super League and rugby league in England.

NRL open to Super League takeover as comp records $745 million revenue

Having announced the incredible figures for the sport Down Under, V’landys spoke on the prospect of taking over Super League.

“That’s if they want us,” he conceded.

“The first thing is there’s always two people to an agreement. If they want us, we’ll certainly look at it.”

V’landys spoke on the importance of the international game as a key reason for why the ARLC and/or NRL would be interested in buying the northern competition.

He stated: “If they approached us, we’d 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.

“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.”

We’ve recently seen the financial despair of clubs like Salford Red Devils who were among the last Super League teams not to have a rich benefactor, something that has now changed with the news of their takeover being confirmed.

On Super League generally, V’landys said: “I’m not being critical of them because they do a great job, but rugby league has to be strong in England, and we’re developing a relationship already by having Warrington and Wigan in Vegas.

“We’ll certainly have discussions with Super League to see how we can assist in the future.”

Previously, key figures in the sport Down Under such as Gus Gould have argued for the NRL to run international rugby league as he labelled International Rugby League as a “toothless tiger”.