Super League set for ‘$60million’ NRL investment – with one big catch in return

Super League could receive a total of $60million over the next five years as part of a deal from the NRL to invest in the competition: with the Australian governing body ultimately owning 50 per cent of the league.

Talks have been ongoing for months about a possible deal between the two governing bodies. Super League is in dire need of financial support and wider investment, while the NRL are keen to make the European game stronger to increase and drive their vision for rugby league globalisation.

Peter V’Landys had suggested over the weekend that talks had stalled due to complications over the future of Super League’s broadcasting deal, which is in its closing stages before completion.

But there is now fresh detail suggesting more about the numbers in a potential package.

Super League clubs set for windfall

Reports from Australia are suggesting that the NRL will offer $60million to Super League, which will be spread over a five-year period and protect the short to medium term future of the competition.

That will mean $12million each year, which is around £6.2million. That would be much-needed income for clubs, though it would not lead to any drastic changes, as clubs would stand to each get a few hundred thousand pounds per year based on this reported deal.

However, it would bridge the shortfall seen in the game over recent seasons and would give the NRL time to invest and build Super League’s commercial portfolio.

It remains to be seen whether the TV deal would be a sticking point, with V’Landys insisting over the weekend that discussions had hit a snag and there was now some doubt over a deal taking place.

What the NRL get in return

Crucially, the NRL would want a significant return on their investment: namely a huge stake in Super League by the end of an initial five-year term.

Each year, the NRL would take a 10 per cent stake in the competition which would rise to 50 per cent by the time five years of a possible partnership is up.

That means Super League would effectively be selling itself to the NRL.

The NRL would almost certainly want administrative control of the competition too – another point which was seen as a sticking issue as the months have gone on and a deal has been discussed.

But the first sign of any financials that could be put to clubs have now been made clear.