NRL urged to capitalise on US success and include Las Vegas in future expansion plans

Perth, Papua New Guinea, Brisbane, the Pacific and New Zealand have been touted as possible locations for NRL expansion. Now, a key government minister wants Las Vegas added to the list.

The NRL has been urged to capitalise on its highly successful US season opener and introduce an Australian-based expansion team that would play five games a year in Las Vegas.

NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper is behind the revolutionary proposal, declaring “Vegas would own that team.”

Mr Kamper has shared his idea with ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys and comes after more than 40,000 fans packed into Allegiant Stadium to watch Manly defeat South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters beat Brisbane in a historic double header.

The ARL Commission is yet to announce a formal date for expansion with Perth, Papua New Guinea, Brisbane, the Pacific and New Zealand touted as possible locations.

Mr Kamper now wants Las Vegas added to the list.

“It would basically be identified as a Vegas team and play four, five times a year here. It would potentially be one of the expansion teams,” Mr Kamper said.

“They would have to be based in Australia but branded as a Vegas team. Vegas would own that team so the locals here would see it as their rugby league team and be part of the NRL.

Maddie and Ryatt Jenkins from Varsity Lakes in Queensland, and Lexi Santangelo from Brisbane, with signed boots from Adam Reynolds. Todd Martyn-Jones

“It would be like what we’re trying to do with PNG – most likely be based in Australia but play a number of games (in PNG). We should be looking to potentially do the same thing here.”

Mr V’landys has signalled his intention to initially add an 18th franchise before expanding to a 20-team competition.

“Find a franchisee who is willing to put the funds down for it to happen. They would create their own centre of excellence and nursery here, pick up players from the Pacific,” Mr Kamper said.

“Having a connection to the Pasifika as well isn’t a bad idea.

“Essentially, if Vegas can identify with its own team, that’s when you attract all eyes around America saying: ‘This is our team’.”

Roosters captain James Tedesco was a big hit at Allegiant Stadium. Picture: Todd Martyn-Jones

Mr Kamper went to a National Ice Hockey game and was inspired by the story of the Vegas Golden Knights, who were founded in 2017 and have found immediate success.

American businessman Bill Foley, with an estimated personal worth of $2.6 billion, shocked the US sporting public in 2016 when he won an expansion licence for the Golden Knights to become Las Vegas’ first major sports franchise.

They made the playoffs in their first four seasons and, in 2023, won the Stanley Cup.

Foley also has ownership in AFC Bournemouth, French Ligue 1 club, FC Lorient and also acquired the new A-League football franchise in Auckland.

“People might say this is pie-in-the-sky but it’s an eye-opener,” Mr Kamper said.

“Look at that Golden Knights model, that’s the example. I reinforced that the success story (to V’landys), that’s what you should be leveraging off.

“The Golden Knights set up in a desert state, essentially, and have won the championship league within seven years. That’s when I understood the vision that you can get Americans to get behind a code, if it’s a good sport and there is an operator who is willing to invest in it.

“I told the people at the Golden Knights that we could potentially do what they are doing with rugby league. There were just 90 registered ice hockey players in the whole state when (Foley) started, now there are 6500.

“They have a centre of excellence, merchandise, entertainment, they have gone crazy about here. They now have fanatical support for a sport that wasn’t really popular here. It’s been an amazing success story

“We are trying to break through and introduce our wonderful game of rugby league into the American market. I’m looking for other success stories and ideas.

The Vegas Golden Knights have been a roaring success. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

“It became clear to me when I spoke to the Golden Knights that the possible can happen – it’s about how well we do it and introduce rugby league into this massive community.

“They have so many billionaires (in America) who are looking to do things like this all the time, you just have to put it in front of them and see that people support it.”

Kamper has been stunned by the level of support from Australian fans in Las Vegas.

“I’m here to support the NRL, along with 15,000 Australians. We’re like one massive family here. It’s been so heartening to see everyone turn up to back our wonderful code. It’s been an amazing experience,” he said.

“I can clearly see Peter V’landys’ vision – they (NRL) have done an amazing job. This has been three years in the making.”