‘Tone deaf’: Charity sever ties with NRL over Las Vegas invite
An Australian charity has sensationally severed ties with the NRL as details of a controversial Las Vegas invitation emerge.
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The NRL has been given a public tongue lashing with an Australian charity organisation going scorched earth on the football code.
Australian charity for violence against women White Ribbon has sensationally cut ties with the league over invitations that were sent to controversial figures in the United States ahead of this weekend’s season-opening Las Vegas blockbuster.
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NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo on Thursday (AEDT) confirmed reports White Ribbon had demanded the league remove any mention of the charity in its promotional material.
White Ribbon said it was prompted to cut ties with the NRL over attempts from the league, including from NRL supremo Peter V’landys, to court US President Donald Trump and UFC president Dana White.
Trump lost an $8 million verdict in US court last year, being found liable for sexually abusing a woman.
White was filmed slapping his wife in a nightclub two years ago with footage of the incident going viral.
As boss of the combat sport organisation, White did not receive any punishment. He said at the time there was “no excuse” for his behaviour.
White Ribbon chief executive Merinda March told AAP in a statement it was “disappointing and frankly, tone deaf” for the NRL to associate themselves with “well-known perpetrators” of violence against women.
“While the NRL continues to promote their association with us, this decision by the NRL is wildly misaligned with our values and lacks integrity and respect,” March said in a statement provided to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“White Ribbon Australia has not undertaken any work with the NRL since we acquired the movement in 2020. We contacted the NRL yesterday to insist they remove any reference to White Ribbon Australia from their promotional material.
“We have also stated that when the NRL is ready to commit to an authentic zero-tolerance stance to abuse and violence against women, White Ribbon Australia would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss an opportunity to collaborate on an organisation-wide intervention.”
March said in an earlier statement: “Sporting organisations like the NRL have a vital role to play in promoting a culture of safety and respect for women,” it said in a statement.
“We believe the fans and participants of the NRL — almost half of whom are female — deserve better.
“After the NRL’s decision to associate with known perpetrators, White Ribbon Australia contacted the NRL to insist they remove any reference to us on their promotional material.
“The NRL has since complied with this request.”
Abdo on Thursday defended the league’s decision to make public attempts to court Trump and White.
V’landys addressed Trump in a recent, publicly distributed video, inviting the 78-year-old to defend the event at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas.
“Mr President, we want to introduce you to the toughest game on Earth, rugby league, in the world’s sport and entertainment capital, Las Vegas,” V’Landys said in the video.
The Canberra Raiders had also been overtly public in its attempts to invite White to be involved in the club’s traditional pre-match ceremonies ahead of the team’s game against the Warriors on Sunday.
Raiders CEO Don Furner confirmed the club wanted White to blow the Viking war horn that has become a popular feature of matches the team has played in their home stadium.
“We are playing this match in America. We’re being hosted by America,” Abdo said.
“Last year we invited Joe Biden, this year we invited Donald Trump. We invited the sitting president of the country in which we visit.
“It’s not an unusual practice to do this. It’s not to say we have any political affiliation with any party.
“We’re a sport. We’re about bringing people together no matter what your political beliefs, no matter what your background.
“We’re a sport for everyone, for all, and I think sending an invite to the sitting president of this country is appropriate and that’s what we did.”
With White off the table, the Raiders are now considering other celebrity options. Among those being targeted are Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll and some of his players, as well as NFL icons Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.
The club is also looking at members of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, who recently hosted the Raiders, Warriors and Panthers at one of their home games.
Originally published as ‘Tone deaf’: Charity sever ties with NRL over Las Vegas invite
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