The ball is in Super League’s court when it comes to a deal between themselves and the NRL, with supremo Peter V’Landys sending their final offer with a deadline attached.
V’Landys, who this week has revealed he wants to expand the NRL to a huge 22 teams, still sees as much growth in the sport globally as in Australasia.
With a TV deal in the billions, the governing body down under is in the best position it has ever been in, and is now looking to help Super League achieve those same heights.
An investment package of $57 million has been sent to RL Commercial, with a deadline of October 15 set in place – the same day as the opening match of the World Cup between Australia and New Zealand.
V’Landys has also said that, if a deal is to happen, it must do so on one condition: London Broncos must be in the top flight in 2027.
The Broncos’ promotion hopes took a huge dent earlier this week, with the IMG rankings placing Barrow Raiders above them in 15th, leaving the club in the capital 16th.
Barrow themselves have said that their ground is not Super League-ready; however, it would still bring a lot of controversy should London be hand-picked to be the competition’s 15th team.
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Speaking earlier this week, V’Landy’s told media in Australia: “We’re in the final legs of negotiation.
“It will either happen or it won’t. I’m still hopeful it will happen.
“The sticking point at the moment with the other clubs is London Broncos. We believe they should be in, so that’s the only disagreement we’ve got among us, really.
“We want the Broncos in because there’s 750,000 Australians at any one time in London – a ready-made audience – and they know the Brisbane Broncos.
“All our business models and our analysis requires London Broncos to be part of it. We take a bigger risk if they’re not in the Super League.”
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