St Helens chairman “enthused” for conversations about potential NRL takeover of Super League

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus has spoke on the prospect of NRL buying Super League with that conversation being one he’s “enthused” about.

Whilst there is huge change atop the sport in England, rugby league continues to thrive in Australia and the NRL is at the heart of that with the competition now widely regarded as far better than Super League.

Financially, it is certainly better off with the NRL confirming revenue of $744.9 million last year with profits of $62.3 million. Those figures were released back in February and came alongside an admission from Australian Rugby League Commission chief Peter V’landys that the NRL would be open to buying Super League.

Speaking to Reuters, V’landys said: “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.

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

The suggestion that the NRL could be set to buy out Super League has grown in recent weeks whilst comments from Sky Sports presenter Brian Carney have also fanned the flames.

“Would be seismic” – Saints chair gives verdict on NRL investment

Carney stated live on Sky Sports that the transition of rugby league from a winter to summer sport as well as the creation of Super League would “look like a teddy bear’s picnic compared to what is coming down the line,” prompting many to believe that seismic change is coming.

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus was asked about that when speaking with former Sky Sports commentator Eddie Hemmings on his ‘Eddie & Stevo Podcast’, with the Saints man shifting the topic to NRL investment very quickly.

McManus said: “Well it sounds like he does know something that we don’t know. I mean, obviously there has to be change. We’re looking at change that is within our control.

“Whether there’s other changes that will eventuate due to major investment from overseas into the game, that would be seismic.”

He also challenged the notion that NRL investment is a ‘rumour’, adding: “It’s not alleged, he’s (V’landys) stated that.”

“Yeah, I think it was as blunt as that,” McManus responded when asked if V’landys has stated his intent to buy Super League, before confirming his stance on that.

St Helens chairman “enthused” for conversations about potential NRL takeover of Super League

That stance is a positive one with McManus adding: “Put it this way, I am enthused to participate in conversations, as are all clubs.

“He’s pushing on an open door in that regard because the NRL would have a huge amount to offer to our game potentially in terms of financial investment, in terms of best practice and the likes, but it’s our game.

“Total control is the area that needs to be discussed. Obviously it’s not being discussed at this point in time.”

If and when that is discussed, McManus was clear on the fact that Super League sides should not become feeder teams, though he did not admit that the exodus of English talent means “we are already” to a degree.

The St Helens man said: “If it was a case of we being feeder clubs for Australia, which to some extent we are already, but if that’s formalised, then I personally would be against it. For there to be arrangements, everything’s open for discussion but we can’t be a feeder competition.

“We are that vulnerable at the moment because of the differential in pay in the NRL and here so it is an attraction and that’s been historic. Players have been going to Australia since I’ve been watching the game.”

McManus, who has a background in banking, then outlined the business model for why and how it makes sense, explaining: “The NRL which is highly successful, is cash rich, it’s getting near to saturation in Australia in terms of where it can go and how it can reinvest its surplus cash.

“So what businesses do is they look in new markets for the same business to see if there’s anything there that they can invest in, improve, grow and get a return on their investments as well as improving the business that they’re investing in. And this is kind of the perfect combination, isn’t it?”