Canberra have extended an invitation to UFC boss Dana White to blow a new American-made Viking horn costing in excess of $10,000 to trumpet their side’s Las Vegas debut.
The blowing of the horn has become a tradition at Raiders home games and the club wants American fans to share in the experience for the NRL season-opener at Allegiant Stadium. The task of transporting their usual horn all the way to the United States was deemed too difficult, prompting the club hierarchy to commission a Los Angeles-based firm to construct a new 3.6-metre, 36-kilogram instrument especially for the occasion.
In a bid to make its first blowing memorable, the Raiders have approached some of the biggest names in American sport and entertainment to do the honours. At the top of the list is White, who has already confirmed his attendance for the game.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has personally extended an invitation to US President Donald Trump, describing his potential presence as rugby league exposure that “money cannot buy”. The presence of White, one of Trump’s closest friends, increases the chances of that happening.
“We’ve reached out to a few high-profile celebrities, including Dana White, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll,” said Canberra chief executive Don Furner.
“We’d be honoured if one of them were to blow the horn. It would provide incredible worldwide exposure.”
The Raiders’ new viking horn in production in the USA.Credit: Canberra Raiders
Several Las Vegas Raiders players have also been sounded out, while the NRL club also has a connection to Carroll. During an off-season study trip a decade ago, Canberra staffers, including Ricky Stuart, spent time with Carroll, who had just coached the Seattle Seahawks to their one and only Super Bowl championship.
The Canberra Raiders will be special guests of local NHL team Vegas Golden Knights this weekend, with star forward Joseph Tapine invited to crank the siren as part of the pre-game festivities. The Raiders could reciprocate by extending the same courtesy to one of the star Knights.
The Raiders have incorporated the Viking horn and the Viking clap to produce one of the most unique game-day experiences in world sport. The ideas were borrowed during a study tour Stuart and club officials conducted in 2015 over American franchises including the Seahawks, Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers, the latter conducted while Jarryd Hayne was at the franchise.
The horn concept came from the Minnesota Vikings, while the clap was inspired by the Icelandic soccer team. Canberra combined the two to come up with one of the most unique celebrations in Australian sport. Raiders officials decided the five-figure cost of constructing a new horn was worthwhile to ensure an impression was made on local and travelling fans at Allegiant Stadium.
NFL legend Gronkowski, tipped to be a guest commentator on the Fox network, has already helped the NRL promote the game with an explainer video for American fans. Retired forward Aaron Woods has already hit the promotional trail in the US, including spruiking the game NASCAR in Daytona.
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