R360 delay set to rock the NRL player market as Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen left in the lurch
A bombshell announcement from R360 will have a major impact on some of the biggest names in world sport.
The breakaway R360 competition has delayed its launch by two years in a move that will only fuel scepticism about its credibility as players from sporting codes around the world continue to be linked with big-money moves.
The initial plan was for R360 to launch next October with a smaller competition that would then expand with more teams, but that’s been scrapped with organisers announcing on Friday night that the global rugby series wouldn’t start until 2028.
The board determined that a full launch would offer “stronger market conditions, greater commercial certainty, and a significantly more favourable environment” to fans, players and broadcasters.
But the delay will only fuel doubts over whether the competition has the money, the broadcast deal and the playing stocks to get off the ground, with ARLC chairman Peter V’landys recently calling it a “competition out of a Corn Flakes box”.
The NRL has already warned players and agents that anyone who signs with R360 will receive a 10-year ban, while other leagues have warned its stars that they won’t be able to play internationals if they sign.
The delay could influence what Payne Haas does in 2027 with the Broncos star off contract at the end of next season and facing a reported $3m a year deal from R360.
Parramatta’s Zac Lomax, as well as Storm stars Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, have recently been released from their contracts, with their futures now up in the air.
It’s unclear if they would stay in rugby league, switch to overseas rugby or sign with R360, and it’s only getting murkier with the promises of huge contracts and tax-free incentives suddenly up in the air.
Organisers remain confident that the 2028 launch will work, with R360 keen to “complement” world rugby to help the game grow, but the decision to delay is a huge win for the NRL and its push to keep its biggest stars.
“R360 has always been about supporting the long-term growth of the sport we love,” R360 board member Mike Tindall said.
“Our aim is to create a global showcase league that sits between international and club rugby - a competition that keeps fans engaged year-round, brings new audiences into the game, and elevates both male and female players on a global stage.
“International rugby attracts huge audiences and is one of the most compelling products in world sport. But most players outside the biggest fixtures aren’t yet household names.
“Club rugby is vital to the rugby ecosystem however its reach remains limited to the core fans. There is a clear gap for a global, innovative competition that can broaden rugby’s appeal and inspire a new generation of fans - and our data consistently supports that need.
“As per many other sports, evolution is critical to broadening its appeal, finding new talent and realising commercial value.
“Cricket, Formula 1, football, sailing, golf, boxing, darts - to name a few - are all finding new ways to tell new stories to new audiences and building a stronger sport. This is rugby’s opportunity.
“The decision to shift our launch to 2028 is a strategic decision based on timing. Launching under compressed timelines would not meet the standards we set for R360, nor would it deliver the long-term commercial impact that the sport deserves.
“From day one, our commitment to players has been unwavering. Many of the world’s best female and male players continue to express strong interest in joining R360. We want them to thrive - not be placed under unnecessary pressure.
“Ensuring player welfare, supporting their international ambitions, and working collaboratively with the global game remain core to our approach.
“As a board we remain absolutely determined to bring R360 to life at full scale and with maximum global impact. We’re building something bold and new that will resonate globally - and we cannot wait to show the world in 2028.”
