The NRL could be on the verge of pulling out of investment in Super League, with reports from Australia revealing talks are nearing a “dead end.”
Talks between the two competitions have been taking place for around a year, with meetings in the UK, Australia and Las Vegas occurring, with the intention to agree a deal that would see the NRL partner with the northern hemisphere both financially and administratively.
Former NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and ARLC Chairman Peter V’Landys have always stated their intent to help out Super League, with V’Landys saying on multiple occasions that the competition is heading for a “train wreck” if no investment is put in.
However, the talks have reportedly hit a stumbling block, with disagreements between Sky Sports and the NRL said to be causing the tension. Sky, who are widely believed to be the winners of the next TV broadcast deal, cannot come up with a “palatable deal” to satisfy the NRL’s “investment strategy”, and as a result, the Australian competition could back out from the proposal.
In an interview with Code Sports, V’Landys said: “Look, we’re trying to make the figures work at the moment, but unless the figures work, we won’t do it. We’re having trouble making the figures work, that’s the truth of it.
“I don’t know what will happen. I find it very tough [to go through with a deal]. We need to talk further with Super League. We haven’t put a proposal into them yet.
“We understand the importance of the international game, so we’re not giving up.”
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There is also talk that DAZN, could be available to help Super League, with them previously revealing an interest in having the rights to show the sport. DAZN owns Foxtel in Australia, meaning a deal with Super League would see them have the rights for both competitions.
