Respected administrator and former CEO of multiple NRL clubs, Shane Richardson, has outlined his belief that a deal will be done between the Australian competition and Super League clubs, in spite of what he believes to be poor governance of the sport in England.
A second offer has been tabled by the NRL as they seek to invest in Super League, something that Richardson has argued is a ‘great investment for the game’ when speaking to Andrew Voss on SEN Radio.
It’s understood that the first offer made to Super League was not deemed to be rewarding enough by the clubs, whilst there is still plenty to iron out in respect to what sort of ownership structure exists but Richardson was clear in his belief that the deal simply has to be done.
“The money from rugby league is being reinvested in the game by Peter V’landys and the NRL, so it’s nothing but a positive, ” he told legendary broadcaster Voss.
“It’s not about making money, it’s about trying to right the ship in England to ensure that they become bigger and stronger so that international rugby league grows. It’s simply about that.
“Anyone who thinks we’re investing money there to make money, they’re kidding themselves. If we get our money back, we’ll be happy. But at the end of the day, it’s not about that. It’s about trying to grow the game in England to another level.”
For Richardson, it’s paramount a deal is done as he said: “It’s just a no-brainer in every way, shape and form. It’s not a takeover, people will say Peter has taken over [the NRL] but at the end of the day he hasn’t because we have an ALRC [Australian Rugby League Commission] board and clubs and strong pathways. They have none of the above.”
Most Read on Serious About Rugby League
Dissecting Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors, St Helens miss the six and Wakefield make statement – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
Super League and NRL deal must involve a new body as RFL criticised
Growing the game in England is easier said than done as the game in England is fraught with problems, predominantly self-interest with Hull KR owner Neil Hudgell recently admitting that he stopped attending owners’ meetings on account of the self-interest on display by others.
Richardson argued that there is ‘no relevancy’ to ownership, instead stating that control is the thing that matters but he explained why that’s such a difficult proposition.
He said: “What it is about is control, particularly in the short-term and the first five years and that is control of the board and having a CEO in there who is appointed by the NRL to run the game efficiently.
“The challenge you have over there is that they haven’t had an independent board . They’ve got the same people in charge as when I lost a $1 million 20-something years ago. Nothing’s gone forward and nothing has changed whatsoever.
“They’ve got some wonderful investors who are willing to lose £2 million-plus just to stay in the game. They’ve never been stronger than with the club owners, some of whom are billionaires, but they have had enough of the lack of efficient and the lack of structure in the game to make it go forward.”
Richardson would continue to be scathing of the structure, namely the governing body the RFL, whilst he spoke very positively on the ownership of the clubs.
He argued: “There are some really smart people in the clubs. My criticism is of the administration, particularly Nigel Wood. At the end of the day, the clubs themselves have got some really smart and wealthy people running them and I cannot see them letting this happen [the chance for investment go amiss].”
NRL clubs would want to invest if new structures are implemented
Because of that, he believes that a deal will be agreed to and it’s something that he spoke with passion about achieving.
When asked if there will be a collapse in deal , he said:”I don’t think there will be a no but I won’t be giving up. This is the one thing in rugby league I really want to make successful. My time over there, I lost a fortune but I loved it. I’ve got no intention from a personal point of view of letting it drop.
“It may take a backwards step but I know the people involved in the top clubs and they want it to happen and even France, who have been kicked in the arse forever… I’m astounded by how well-run they are particularly when you consider the ridiculous situation when they have to pay for every team who come there.”
Outlining what the NRL can offer, he said: “We’ll come in and people, whether they be in the media or sponsors, will want to be involved in it, including our own clubs. I know our own clubs would invest if the NRL take control but they’re not going to invest at the moment when you’ve got the people in charge of the game over there doing the same as before, and as long as Batley gets the same vote as St Helens, it’s never going to change.”
He also confirmed that an NRL deal would have to include the Championship and the game at a lower level in a total overhaul, explaining: “Peter’s concept and idea is not to upgrade the players contracts, at least in the beginning, it’s to upgrade the structure and have a proper development scheme.
“They need to have a bigger view of what they’re doing because those people need to have a game they can aspire to. When you have clubs folding, great clubs like Featherstone Rovers and Halifax who nearly went down, so my point is you have to take the blinkers off and have a look at what the game could be if you allow someone like the NRL [to help].”
