The head of Rugby League Commercial has revealed that the NRL are ‘not the only horse in the race’ in reference to investment in Super League, with an update shared on the status of the competition.
Speaking after Sunday afternoon’s match between Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves, a game that celebrated Super League’s 30th birthday, Rhodri Jones was asked about the state of the competition in 2026.
“I think we’re buoyant in all honesty,” Jones, who is the head of Rugby League Commercial, told Sky Sports.
“The start of the 2026 season has been excellent from the opening round through to the World Club Challenge, Vegas, now this, and next week we have Rivals Round with multiple sell-outs.
“The game is in a good place. It’s buoyant and it comes off the back of a couple of successful years for Rugby League Commercial.”
Super League yet to receive formal NRL offer but other conversations revealed
Perhaps more interesting was what he had to say on the much talked-about notion of the NRL investing in Super League with Jones’ Australian equivalent, Peter V’landys, speaking openly about the fact that Super League is ‘headed for a train crash’ without NRL intervention.
“There are multiple conversations ongoing at the moment,” Jones confirmed, however, he was quick to add that the NRL are not the only options for investment.
“We are taking it (NRL interest) very seriously. We will contract with external advisors over the next couple of weeks because we are taking it that seriously but the NRL are not the only horse in the race and that’s important.”
As for where that other interest is coming from, Jones said: “From around the globe, both here domestically but also from other territories as well. It’s very embryonic at this stage so it’s for us to work through all those different options at this time and make sure that we get the right result for the sport.”
One key sticking point for many in Super League at the moment is that whilst V’landys has made a lot of noise about NRL investment in Super League, no formal offer has been put forward, and that remains the status.
Jones explained: “At the moment on the status of the NRL offer, there is no financial offer on the table so nothing has changed since two or three weeks ago.
“There’s a lot of work going on in the background and we’re very open-minded but it has to be absolutely right for the sport.”
As for a timescale of when a decision could be made, he added: “Clearly the sooner the better because it provides clarity for everybody but like I say, we have to make sure that it’s right so we won’t be forced into making rushed decisions.”
