NRL 2024: Aussie NFL star Jordan Mailata in talks to promote rugby league’s Las Vegas venture

The NRL is in talks with a $US64m ($98m) NFL star who could return to his $5000-a-year rugby league grassroots in what would prove a priceless move for the game’s US venture.

A $US64m ($98m) NFL star could return to his $5000-a-year rugby league grassroots this week in what would prove a priceless move to crack the lucrative American sporting market.

Sydney-born Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata is in talks with the NRL about a possible ambassadorial role which would include marketing work through Super Bowl week on the ground in Las Vegas.

The initiative comes as the NRL this week releases its official Las Vegas promotional television advertisement on Fox in America.

If an agreement can be reached, Mailata would fly to Vegas and assist with ticket opportunities, media interviews and rugby league activations in Sin City to promote the NRL’s historic double-header on March 2.

The Super Bowl and NRL will both be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with the games three weeks apart.

Securing Bankstown-born Mailata would be a remarkable coup for the NRL, although no deal has yet been reached.

Around 450,000 sports fans will converge on Las Vegas this week for the Super Bowl, giving rugby league a free crack at attracting new fans. Ticket sales for the two NRL games – Manly versus Souths and Sydney Roosters against Brisbane – have pushed past 25,000, with officials hoping to hit the 40,000 mark by kick-off.

Australian NFL star Jordan Mailata. Picture: Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Mailata’s fame and influence in Vegas during Super Bowl week would be expected to boost ticket sales. Aged 26 and weighing 165kg, Mailata has a four-year contract at Philadelphia worth $US64m ($98m), with more than $US40m guaranteed.

A Canterbury Bulldogs junior, Mailata played for Five Dock RSL in the Balmain juniors before being approached by South Sydney in 2017. Mailata played under 20s at Souths.

The Rabbitohs offered Mailata a modest $5000 a year to play for feeder club North Sydney. He was deemed a reserve grader due to perceived fitness and conditioning concerns.

In a recent podcast with NFL brothers Travis and Jason Kelce – called New Heights - Mailata spoke about his days playing rugby league.

“I was getting $200 a win and $100 a loss when playing rugby league,” Mailata said. “That was my contract.

The NRL is keen to capitalise on Super Bowl LVIII fanfare this week. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

“I never watched the game (NFL). I would watch the Super Bowl but that was only because of the halftime performances.”

The NRL TV ad will appear multiple times on the Fox network from this week until kick-off.

The Super Bowl between Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will be played at Allegiant Stadium on February 12 (AEDT).

Tight end Travis, who is dating pop star Taylor Swift, will represent Kansas City in Monday morning’s big game.

The NRL’s presence in Vegas will increase after the Super Bowl juggernaut leaves town. All four NRL teams jet out for America in a little more than two weeks.

ROOSTERS’ HUGE LAS VEGAS ADVANTAGE

Sydney Roosters players will travel business class to Las Vegas but arrive in first class condition after being chosen to fly on Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliner, an aeroplane which offers revolutionary “lower cabin altitude, less turbulence, new filtration, better humidity and less fatigue.”

It comes as the Roosters complete their pre-season this week by twice heading west to train.

Other clubs will fly Fiji Airways, via Nadi, to America but the Roosters were chosen to fly on the United Airlines’ Dreamliner by the NRL.

The airline’s features will ensure players arrive in the US fresh, lively and jet-lag free. The NRL randomly told clubs which airlines they would fly with, the Roosters striking it lucky.

Boeing’s website states the Dreamliner offers “cleaner air, smoother ride technology and improved temperature control, (offering) an experience like none other in the air, with more comfort and less fatigue.

“The 787 combines new filtration, better pressure and more humidity to help passengers feel less dryness and fatigue. The 787 offers the latest in seat comfort and technology.

“Sensors on the 787 sense and dampen turbulence for a more comfortable ride and less motion sickness.

Business class on the Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is state of the art. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“The 787 cabin is wider than that of the airplanes it replaces, so passengers enjoy more personal space, both physically and visually.

“Its cabin architecture creates a strong sense of spaciousness with its broad, welcoming entry way, large windows and vaulted ceiling.

“(There is) better lighting and more adjustable LED lighting provides more lighting choices to create a relaxing environment.

“Windows also dim at the touch of a button, allowing passengers to look outside when they wish and still maintain a dimmed cabin when appropriate.”

One club said it was “luck of the draw” which airline the NRL chose for each club.

New Sydney Roosters’ 200cm winger Dominic Young will enjoy the extra leg room on his way to Vegas. Picture: Roosters Digital

Roosters players will also wear flight socks and the club’s high performance team will start talking to the squad this week about their sleep habits.

The Roosters meanwhile will shift training to Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park this coming Thursday and Saturday.

Significant improvements to the club’s Kippax Lake Field at Moore Park will be completed in March.

The team has been training at ES Marks Field, Kensington, but will use Accor before heading to America.

The Roosters have scored a good flight to Vegas. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“This is our last big week of pre-season so we wanted a really good ground where we could do some of our bigger sessions,” said Chris James, Roosters’ football operations manager.

“So we went to Venues NSW and asked them if we could have Accor Stadium and they were more than happy for us to go out and have a few training sessions to finish our pre-season in a big way.

“We never train at Allianz Stadium at this time of year anyway. There are always concerts and A-League.

“We have spent a lot of money redeveloping Kippax Lake Field but it’s not ready yet. The construction is finished but the grass needed 12 weeks to establish to a standard where we could train on.

“Our biggest session will be next Saturday and grounds like Leichhardt and Kogarah have junior rep games on that day. Accor told us the ground was available. We will start training in Allianz Stadium after the season starts.”

Work on the Kippax Lake Field is expected to be completed on March 1.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Aussie NFL star Jordan Mailata in talks to promote rugby league’s Las Vegas venture