The Ipswich Jets have ambitions to become the NRL’s 20th franchise, and after a failed bid in 2021 for a license, they are turning up the heat to enter the competition by 2030.<\/p>\n
The Jets outfit, who hail from south-eastern Queensland, will table a $60 million bid to earn a spot in the NRL<\/a>, as reported by the Courier Mail.\u00a0<\/p>\n There is plenty of rugby league demand surrounding the Brisbane area, which has seen the Brisbane Broncos’ commercial numbers skyrocket and the successful introduction of the Dolphins<\/a> franchise out of Redcliffe.<\/p>\n ARL commissioner Peter V’landys will meet with Queensland Rugby League<\/a> head honchos to discuss the expansion plans as the market for NRL<\/a> grows.<\/p>\n Ipswich Jets chairman Steve Johnson told the publication that the plans are taking place, and that this time, they have the money to front the licensing bid.<\/p>\n \u201cThey want guarantees that we (Ipswich) would get an NRL<\/a> licence if they stumped up the cash,\u201d Johnson told the Courier Mail.<\/p>\n \u201cIf that happens, they will put the cash in a bank account.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have the finances to make this happen.\u201d<\/p>\n With the threat of the AFL<\/a> claiming the outer Brisbane region, it’s expected V’landys will want to act quickly, with a reported $1 billion being distributed into the area for Aussie football development.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNew Zealand<\/a> has a strong case, absolutely, but we’ve never discounted the fact we want another Queensland team,\u201d said V’landys.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Queensland Rugby League<\/a>, under the guidance of Brian Canavan (chairman) and Ben Ikin, have done such a fantastic job that we can’t keep up with registrations at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cQueensland is booming.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving another team in Queensland is definitely not out of the question.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’ll sit down with the Queensland Rugby League<\/a> and work out where they believe it (a fifth NRL<\/a> team in Queensland) has got the most potential.\u201d<\/p>\n The ambitious bid to expand the 13-man code isn’t slowing down, with the 19th side, the Papua New Guinea<\/a> Chiefs, dominating headlines for their audacious incentives to get players to make the move to the Melanesian country.\u00a0<\/p>\n With so much land territory across Queensland and the Broncos’ commercial success, a third team in the Brisbane region is the next logical step in the NRL’s evolution.<\/p>\n