Hull KR CEO Paul Lakin has become the latest Super League club Chief to speak out on the proposed deal between NRL and Super League
Following talks between the two competitions that took place in Las Vegas, the NRL reportedly set a three-month deadline for Super League to accept their offer of a takeover, however there is one key problem.
Peter V’Landys and his team are yet to give Super League club owners any sort of details over what a takeover or partnership would look like, leaving them reluctant to sign into any agreement.
Whilst an NRL takeover would undoubtedly change rugby league in the northern hemisphere for the better, club owners and Chief Executives would have to give up some level of control and ownership.
But with no details currently on the table, they cannot agree to a deal and Lakin has called on the NRL to come forward with their plans to oversee Super League.
Speaking to the BBC this weekend, the Hull KR Chief explained: “I’d like to see an offer, because there’s a lot of talk but there’s been no offer as yet in terms of finance, equity.
“There’s a lot of talk through the media, which I think there needs to be probably less of that and more actual actions, but we as a club are very interested in what the NRL have to offer.
“But as I stand here now, my understanding is there’s been no offer tabled.”
Lakin understands the benefit that the deal would bring to the UK game, and a globally run sport would be a huge boost to both the domestic and international calendar.
Asked what Super League needs at this stage, he replied: “It has to get an injection of energy and it has to get an injection of finance.
“If it doesn’t come from the NRL, it has to come from somewhere. As we all know, there’s no such thing as investment. Everyone’s contributing to cover a shortfall in every club. That’s not sustainable.
“We’ve all heard it many, many times. We need investment in the game. The NRL are the obvious people to partner with to create a worldwide game, not just at domestic level, but at international level and get the international game synced up.
“Even things like the World Club Challenge, it should be a staple. It shouldn’t be based on two clubs agreeing each year whether they’re playing or not. It should be that’s what’s happening.”
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