NRL 2024: Las Vegas funding, visa tensions resolved after clubs call crisis meeting

The NRL has met with representatives of the Broncos, Roosters, Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles after clubs became agitated over a number of lingering issues ahead of the historic Las Vegas round.

Peter V’landys has smoothed tensions among the NRL’s Las Vegas-bound clubs following a crisis meeting on Thursday.

ARL Commission chairman V’landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo met with representatives of the Broncos, Roosters, Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles to thrash out a host of lingering issues around the March season-opener in the United States.

The clubs had become agitated due to a reported lack of detail from head office and uncertainty around visas, medical insurance, training venues and the NRL’s financial commitment to the project.

They called for V’landys to step in and make progress on the issues.

While the NRL was committed to funding travel and accommodation costs for the Allegiant Stadium double-header, there have been suggestions extended “acclimatisation camps” designed by the clubs could cost up to $400,000.

The clubs believe they need to spend upwards of a week in America to ensure the players have time to prepare safely and adequately for a premiership match.

Their nerves have been eased by V’landys following a pledge to boost funding for the camps that will ensure the teams are ready for a high-quality opening to the 2024 NRL premiership.

Peter V’landys smoothed tensions with the four clubs heading to Las Vegas in March.

The NRL has also dedicated resources towards ensuring visa applications are expedited, particularly the more complicated ones involving players with past indiscretions that cannot obtain ESTAs.

Training venues in Las Vegas have also been secured for pre-match captain’s runs, which was another sticking point in planning.

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly said the meeting provided renewed enthusiasm from all four clubs to make the Las Vegas venture a raging success.

“We’re grateful for Peter and Andrew’s approach to the meeting,” he said.

“The clubs have always been realistic about the scale and ambition of this event – and the challenges that it creates for everyone.

“Peter and Andrew gave us the support we needed around financial assistance for acclimatisation camps, medical insurance, accommodation and training venues in Las Vegas.

“The clubs absolutely want to focus on making the event the success it deserves to be.

South Sydney CEO Blake Solly. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

“This is a huge opportunity for rugby league and we’re committed to creating the best event we can in Vegas.”

The Broncos will depart Brisbane on February 22 for Los Angeles, where they will be based for a week before Vegas, and CEO Dave Donaghy said plans were on track.

“We appreciated the opportunity to meet today, it was a very productive meeting that allowed us all to work through the challenges involved in delivering our US game,” Donaghy said.

“Now that’s been resolved, we can all get on with our final preparations. We’re all looking forward to being part of rugby league history.”

The Broncos are taking a party of about 40 to Vegas, including 23 players, and will base themselves at the home of NFL franchise the LA Rams.

Due to travel and crossing time zones, the first few days of the camp will only include light training and recovery.

They will ramp up training in the back end of the LA visit before jetting into Vegas on Thursday, February 29 (local time) to hold a captain’s run on match eve before the March 2 clash with the Roosters (March 3 AEST).

Originally published as NRL 2024: Las Vegas funding, visa tensions resolved after clubs call crisis meeting