NRL 2023: Club bidding war begins for Las Vegas 2024 season launch
After pencilling in a date for their historic Las Vegas double-header next year, NRL clubs will have to go head-to-head to book their slot at Allegiant Stadium.
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Call it the NRL’s Royal Rumble.
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has revealed the NRL’s 17 clubs will be catapulted into a bidding war to determine the final four teams to represent rugby league’s pioneers in Las Vegas next season.
As revealed by this masthead, the NRL has pencilled in Saturday, March 2 as the historic date for a double-header to launch the 2024 premiership at the 65,000-capacity Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The NRL is in the advanced stages of brokering a five-year, 10-game deal with American authorities and the next step will be determining the quartet of clubs to be rugby league’s poster boys in Sin City next year.
V’landys said the NRL will call for formal submissions from all 17 clubs to outline their strategic plan and why they deserve to be among the Awesome Foursome chosen for the Vegas venture.
“We’ll be going to the clubs with expressions of interest,” V’landys said.
“We’re going to ask them what they can bring to the promotion in Las Vegas, what benefits will they provide and how are they going to assist in the whole initiative, so there will be a criteria.
“Some teams might not make a submission and might want to wait until year two.
“But I’m confident most of the teams will make a submission and in that submission they have to indicate to us what they will bring to the table.
“It’s important to note that over the five-year term, every team will get their opportunity to play in Vegas.”
Brisbane are considered raging favourites to clinch one berth.
When the NRL considered an American trip this season, only to abort the idea, the likes of Manly, South Sydney, Sydney Roosters and Melbourne were sounded out to gauge their interest.
Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy is keen to give Brisbane players such as skipper Adam Reynolds a unique offshore NRL experience.
“The Broncos have stated our interest in a Las Vegas game, but we are no wiser yet around any further detail,” Donaghy said.
“Any decision will need to be on the right terms regarding the impact on team performance, club finances and our members.
“We look forward to receiving an update from the NRL in due course.”
Dolphins super coach Wayne Bennett, who was part of State of Origin’s exhibition game in Los Angeles with Queensland in 1987, is keen to return to the Land of Opportunity.
“I’d love to go with the Dolphins,” Bennett said.
“Vegas is my favourite place in America and we’ve got the same name as the Miami Dolphins, so there’s some promotional links there.”
Penrith boss Brian Fletcher is adamant the Panthers must be the first club picked for Vegas given their status as reigning premiers and two-time champions.
“We should be one of the four teams to go,” Fletcher said.
“If the NRL gives our fans enough notice, I believe 5000 Penrith fans would go to America and help fill the stadium.
“I don’t think you will have any trouble getting four teams to put their hand up to go.
“But I believe the Panthers are a no-brainer. We are the reigning premiers and we have been the best side of recent years.
“We’ve got genuine stars of the game, including Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Jarome Luai and Brian To’o, so we would be a great advertisement for the NRL.”
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