What’s the Buzz: PVL and NFL boss Roger Goodell talk Vegas and TV deals

Phil Rothfield reveals what ARLC chair Peter V’landys and NFL boss Roger Goodell discussed over an hour-long chat at NFL headquarters in the United States last week.

NRL bosses Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo met with the world’s most powerful sporting administrator – NFL boss Roger Goodell – in the US last week to secure support for next year’s Las Vegas season-opener.

Goodell is so highly regarded that he earns $70 million a year to run the NFL — the code that fills the overwhelming majority of the top 100 shows on US television every year.

V’landys revealed after the meeting in New York that Goodell has agreed to assist with rugby league’s season-opening extravaganza in Las Vegas in a massive boost for rugby league.

In return the NRL will help with the NFL’s promotion for the code’s first ever regular season game in Australia next year in Melbourne between the Los Angeles Rams and a yet to be determined rival.

“Expanding to Australia underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth,” Goodell recently said.

Australia is a significant global market for the NFL with a growing fan base of 6.6 million across the country.

V’landys says having a relationship with Goodell is huge for rugby league.

“We spoke about a lot,” V’landys said.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reacts before Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

“We basically made a decision to support each other in what we’re trying to achieve in both countries.

“We’ll back what they’re doing in Australia and they’ll back us in Las Vegas from a promotional sense.

“It is a really important relationship that we’ve been able to establish.”

The meeting lasted more than an hour at NFL headquarters.

They discussed TV rights for global sport and how the NFL shares its broadcast deal with three major networks – CBS, NBC, Fox, and ESPN/ABC.

Their deal is worth $110 billion over 10 years.

“I found Roger a fantastic guy,” V’landys said.

“Really down to earth, really intelligent.

“We had an hour (chatting) with him. He even invited us back for the Superbowl.

“He doesn’t know rugby league well but is aware of what we’re trying to achieve in Vegas each year.”

Goodell will be in Australia mid next year as part of a promotional tour for the NFL game in Melbourne.

“We’re going to catch up when he’s next here,” V’landys said.

“We’ll take him to a game, most likely State of Origin.”

V’landys and Abdo also met with TV executives from the major global streaming services including DAZN owner Len Blavatnik — worth $41 billion, and News Corp global chiefs Lachlan Murdoch and Robert Thomson.