NRL exploring the idea of purchasing the English Super League in game-changing move

As the NRL investigates a bold proposal to buy England’s Super League, DAVID RICCIO reveals what it would mean for the future of rugby league — including the possibility of players featuring in both competitions.

The NRL has made the momentous decision to explore the unprecedented prospect of buying the English Super League.

In what would prove a historic and game-changing investment, it is understood the NRL has starting investigating the financial viability of taking over control of both competitions on opposite sides of the world.

The NRL is on an unyielding mission to elevate the game to its greatest potential, illustrated by rugby league’s historic Round 1 kick-off in Las Vegas next weekend.

The purchase, promotion and reinvestment of much-needed funds into rugby league in the UK could be next.

The English Super League competition, and many of its clubs, has a long history of financial stress and threat of insolvency.

The NRL is considering buying the English Super League. Picture: Joseph Richardson

Albeit premature, the purchase could lead to the alignment of both competitions where it raises the likelihood of the best NRL and English Super League players traversing between both competitions in a single season.

It’s understood the NRL would also look at creating a ‘sister city’ model where a Super League club is aligned in its feeder system and development of players with an NRL club.

The shock development has emerged after this masthead learned that the NRL has been approached by a third-party about the possible acquisition of the English rugby league competition.

The approach has emerged in the wake of the NRL announcing an operating surplus of $58.2 million after generating more than $700m revenue for a record-breaking 2023 season in which television viewers, attendances and participation figures were all up.

The NRL also now has assets totalling $260m, which includes the acquisition of Gambaro Hotel in Brisbane, but not the more recent purchase of hotels at Cronulla and on the Sunshine Coast.

Penrith and Warrington coaches Ivan Cleary and Sam Burgess had an opposed session this week ahead of the Panthers’ World Club Challenge. Could it be the first of many to come? Picture: Joseph Richardson

All this comes after being on the brink of insolvency when the competition was shut down during the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020.

The possibility of the NRL taking over control of the English Super League has already been met with support by Fox League expert Matty Johns.

“The rumour I’m hearing and it’s getting stronger is that the NRL is seriously looking to possibly buy the English Rugby League,’’ Johns said on SEN’s Joel and Fletch program.

“And that way it broadens the base and it adds to the depth of both competitions because players can go over and have guest stints.

Matty Johns is hearing rumours that the NRL is looking at buying Super League #NRLpic.twitter.com/O1fYbxHSt0

— The Run Home with Joel & Fletch (@JoelFletchSEN) February 22, 2024

“One of the things that really helped the game over there (in the 1980s) was the likes of Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Phil Blake and those guys going over there and having those short stints with Wigan and Leeds and Castleford.

“Let’s imagine if the Roosters are faced with the situation of letting Joey Manu go to French rugby or we let him go and have a stint at Castleford.

“It’s an opportunity for players to really optimise their income while they’re in the game.

“It helps the English game two-fold with the fact that Wigan send their players over for guest stints, but the other thing that helps them is that guys like Jack Welsby (St Helens fullback) can get their NRL fix and come out and prove themselves but still part of the English competition.

“As opposed to Moz (Adrian Morley) having to make the complete change.’’

Caine also voiced his support for the possible purchase by the NRL.

“They have to do that, that’s a great play,’’ Caine said.

“We’re not currently getting Jack Welsby and they’re a million to one of having Tommy Turbo (Trbojevic) and Nathan Cleary, like as Matty said, Kenny, Sterling, Chicka Ferguson, all those big guns.’’

Originally published as NRL exploring the idea of purchasing the English Super League in game-changing move