NRL expansion: 18th team to secure TV broadcast rights millions

It’s not a case of if the NRL will add an 18th team - but when. And News Corp can reveal the mind-boggling numbers that have sparked the latest round of expansion talks.

Peter V’landys. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Broadcast industry sources estimate an 18th NRL team could be worth an extra $375 million in TV rights negotiations.

The estimation comes as the NRL ramps up expansion plans for an 18-team league with ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys revealing a Pasifika franchise is in the frame to enter the Telstra Premiership by 2027.

In a landmark moment for rugby league, the NRL is ready to expand their international reach beyond New Zealand, with an 18th club on the ARL Commission’s agenda following the successful birth of the Dolphins in Queensland.

News Corp recently revealed high-level talks for a 20-team competition by the 2032 Olympics and V’landys confirmed the NRL’s strategic plan to issue an 18th licence in the next major growth phase for the sport.

“It’s not a case of if - it’s when we expand,” V’landys told News Corp.

“We are always looking at growing the game, so it’s an ongoing process.

“The success or otherwise (of an 18th franchise) will depend on timing.

“There is no exact time frame for (more) expansion, but to be honest, it could be earlier than 2027.

The Dolphins have delivered a ratings windfall. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

“We are currently taking a helicopter view of expansion.

“When the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) is finalised, we will begin our investigations into an 18th team.”

A formal announcement on rugby league’s first $1 billion CBA deal is expected after Easter.

Revelations the ARL Commission is eyeing an 18th team will trigger a fresh expansion frenzy as bid consortia from Perth, Pasifika, Papua New Guinea, Brisbane, New Zealand, Adelaide and the North Sydney Bears prepare to fight for NRL inclusion.

V’landys was a driving force in the NRL expanding to 17 teams this season with the addition of the Dolphins in northern Brisbane and the $100 million Redcliffe operation has proven a resounding success.

The Dolphins have delivered a TV ratings bonanza - 1.3 million fans watched their round 4 Battle of Brisbane against the Broncos - and that has given the NRL confidence to explore fresh expansion markets.

ARLC Peter V’landys. Picture: Jonathan Ng

A historic Pasifika team - with tentacles reaching Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Papua New Guinea - is now a serious option to be the NRL’s 18th team.

The franchise would have a permanent base in Cairns in far north Queensland and be aided by the Australian government, which is prepared to tip in $20-25 million annually in the interests of national security in the Pacific.

The Auckland-based Warriors are the NRL’s only offshore team, but ARL Commissioner Kate Jones believes the Telstra Premiership is ready to expand its international borders and V’landys revealed a Pasifika franchise could be next cab off the rank.

“I can confirm that a Pasifika franchise is the one new team we are going to be looking at very closely,” V’landys said.

“I agree 100 per cent with Kate Jones on this.

“She is a valued commissioner and she is on the mark, a Pasifika team is a genuine option for the 18th team.

“We have given a commitment to the Australian government - and indeed the Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese) - that we would look at a Pasifika team.

“We will be meeting our undertaking.”

The NRL’s current broadcast deal with major partners Channel 9, Fox Sports and New Zealand’s Sky TV ends at the end of 2027.

Adding an 18th team would guarantee nine weekly fixtures and the extra game per round would give V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo another crucial bargaining chip when they chase a beefed-up TV rights deal for 2028-32.

TV industry experts believe an 18th club would be worth between $20 million-$75 million per season to the NRL in broadcast dollars.

Over a five-year term, that equates to a potential $100m-375m bonanza for an NRL code that has copped brickbats for being outwitted by the AFL in delicate TV rights negotiations.

Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher believes an 18th licence should be awarded to Perth.

The NRL’s greatest coach Wayne Bennett, who has played a key role in setting up the Dolphins, backed V’landys and has no doubt the premiership can sustain an 18th team in the coming seasons.

“If every club starts buying into development, we will have no problem generating enough players for 18 teams,” Bennett said.

“We (the Dolphins) have been a good trial for the NRL.

“I don’t care where the new team goes, but the key is investing in the pathways because if you do that, you will get more quality players into the game in the future.”

“If there is going to be a new club in the next few years, they should announce it in the next six months and give the 18th team a two-or-three-year headway to start building their pathways and be ready for the NRL.”

Originally published as NRL expansion: 18th team to secure TV broadcast rights millions