NRL club bosses Blake Solly, Shane Richardson driving forces behind Super League purchase bid

Two club bosses with Super League connections have been revealed as the driving force behind a bid for the NRL to purchase a stake in the struggling UK competition.

South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly and his Wests Tigers counterpart Shane Richardson have emerged as the driving forces behind a plan for the NRL to take a stake in Super League and breathe new life into the English game.

This masthead understands that Solly and Richardson began working on a comprehensive proposal six months ago before engaging with the NRL, who have now taken over the heavy lifting as they look to secure a deal that would revive Super League’s flagging fortunes.

It is understood owners of Super League’s biggest clubs including the likes of Wigan and Warrington are on board with the proposal. This masthead was told the NRL had already been offered the chance to buy a 33 per cent stake in Super League, although discussions are ongoing over the level of NRL control.

Blake Solly and Shane Richardson have emerged as the driving forces behind a plan for the NRL to take a stake in Super League

Crucially, ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo are believed to have become personally involved in the talks.

Significantly, after months of speculation, it appears the NRL is on the verge of taking an interest in Super League as they look to complete a formal partnership with the English game.

The negotiations come as the NRL prepares to kick off talks with broadcasters over a new deal from 2028, when an 18th team will be added to the premiership in the form of Papua New Guinea.

A formal partnership with Super League would allow the NRL to bundle the Super League rights into the negotiations and provide more certainty around the World Club Challenge and the international schedule.

The proposal is not viewed as a money spinner for the NRL, but more about unifying the global game and putting the northern and southern hemispheres on the same page.

The NRL has money to burn as the code has flourished under the leadership of V’landys and Abdo.

The duo have begun investing in assets to help future-proof the game. At the same time, it is understood they see the value of uniting the code from the global perspective and helping rugby league in England.

ARLC chairman Peter V'landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. at Allegiant Stadium on March 01, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Importantly, the powerful Super League clubs are believed to be aligned with the proposal as they look to strengthen a competition that has been ailing in recent years.

Salford, for example, have failed to meet player and coaching payments in recent months. While NRL clubs are flushed with funds thanks to healthy grants from head office, most Super League clubs are losing money and forced to rely on affluent ownership to keep them afloat.

Wigan owner Mike Danson, for example, is reportedly worth $2.7 billion while Leeds majority owner Paul Caddick is worth in excess of $1 billion.

Solly and Richardson have a litany of connections in England thanks to previous roles in Super League.

Solly was formerly the general manager of Super League before joining South Sydney while Richardson spent time as a shareholder and chief executive at Hull FC.

Originally published as NRL club bosses Blake Solly, Shane Richardson driving forces behind Super League purchase bid