NRL boss Peter V’landys has taken another pot shot at the AFL while revealing he is close to announcing grand final entertainment acts.
V’landys is yet to secure an artist to headline this year’s big day, which will be on October 4 in Sydney.
NRL boss Peter V’landys speaks to Today. Today
His arch rival the AFL, however, locked in Aussie pop icon Kylie Mingoue in March to light up the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
V’landys spoke to Nine’s Today on Monday morning shortly after a segment aired spruiking the looming Minogue show on AFL grand final day.
“We are the most watched sport in Australia, we don’t need international pop stars to come in,” he said.
“Our entertainment is our game.
“We’re still the most watched sport in Australia, we’ve got the top three most watched programs in Australia in State of Origin, and this finals series is going to break more records.
“You won’t get a more entertaining sport than rugby league. Other sports need these acts, we don’t.”
Minogue is Australian while, ironically, the NRL last year brought American singer Teddy Swims in to headline its big day.
But the AFL has copped plenty of criticism in recent years for spending millions on big-name international acts, including Katy Perry, Meat Loaf, The Killers, and ageing rockers Kiss.
The NRL has typically preferred homegrown artists but went international last year with Teddy Swims.
But the V’landys comments on Monday suggest this year will see a return to having Aussie musicians headline the big dance.
He said an act is “nearly locked in” but would give no other clues as to who it might be.