Brisbane Broncos slam reports they are about to buy Super League club the London Broncos
The Broncos have strongly denied any interest in purchasing an English Super League club following reports the NRL powerhouse was planning to submit a bid to buy the struggling outfit.
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The Brisbane Broncos have rubbished suggestions they are about to buy an English Super League club.
Reports surfaced in the English media on Monday that the Brisbane NRL powerhouse was planning to submit a bid to buy struggling outfit the London Broncos.
The London franchise is fighting for survival after claiming last year’s wooden spoon and being relegated to the second division for 2025.
It has previously been owned by the Brisbane Broncos, who purchased the London Crusaders in 1994 and rebranded them the Broncos.
Three years later the club was sold to Richard Branson’s Virgin group and has changed ownership models since.
The London Broncos have jumped between the first grade Super League and second division Championship over the past decade as they’ve fought for survival.
Now the London club has again been put up for sale by owner David Hughes, prompting suggestions it could fold if it doesn’t find a buyer.
A report in The Sun said: “Brisbane are understood to have offered a significant investment as part of a rescue package brokered by Gary Hetherington, chief executive of Leeds Rhinos.”
However that is not the case, according to Brisbane officials.
The Brisbane Broncos have been approached about potentially purchasing a stake in the London club, but are not interested.
“I’m aware of interest from English clubs seeking investment from their Australian counterparts,” Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said.
“But to be clear, ownership of a UK club is not something the Brisbane Broncos are considering right now.”
Hetherington, one of the Super League’s most powerful identities, is currently in Australia and has been meeting with figures from NRL clubs.
It is not known whether other NRL clubs have shown interest in entering a Super League franchise, but the Broncos won’t be making a bid for the London club.
Brisbane Broncos chairman Karl Morris echoed Donaghy’s sentiments.
“It’s the first I’ve heard of it,” he said on Tuesday.
“I understand there are people (linked to the Super League) in Australia.
“There is zero interest from us in an international football franchise.”
The NRL has recently explored buying into the Super League as it looks to strengthen rugby league’s global footprint.
There have been suggestions NRL clubs could form partnerships with English clubs to improve the quality of the game abroad.
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Originally published as Brisbane Broncos slam reports they are about to buy Super League club the London Broncos
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