SHOULD THE NRL BUY SUPER LEAGUE? THE "WHY's" & "WHY NOT's"
Usually in the World of business age equals; power, wisdom, experience, establishment... sustainability? However very few people would attribute any of those words to Rugby League
UK Rugby League is 126 years old, and some may argue that the sport on this side of the equator is wilting and withering away like a 126-year-old man, rather than a thriving 126-year-old establishment.
Australians first adopted Rugby League in 1908, 13 years after the founding of the RFL in the UK.
They went on to launch their premiere division (The NRL) one year after the Super League in 1997, and it is widely accepted that despite being a much younger sport in their nation, the Aussies have really transcended Rugby League into what we have hoped and prayed for season after season here in the UK
So, what is this article actually about?
Well, In December 2020 the NRL looked into buying into the Super League. They learned that a controlling stake in the Super League (51%) would cost them just £75 million! Absolute bargain, which tells you a lot about the state of our elite level of UK Rugby League. In comparison, a 50% stake of the EPL would set you back £12.5 Billion.
So far, nothing has come from the NRL's initial enquiry, but it begs the question whether or not The NRL buying a controlling stake in the Super League would be a good idea or not.
I've looked deeper into the answers.
Here are reasons why The NRL should buy the Super League, and the Why not's...
The Why's
1. The Cash
Whilst Super League scrambles to salvage a SKY TV deal close to the shared £40 million-a-season the clubs have become accustomed to, last year The NRL secured a 7 year broadcast deal with Fox Sports worth around £203 Million-a-season, which will be shared between the clubs.
This kind of life changing spending power will attract the best athletes to the sport as well as facilities upgrades and marketing which will rival other global sporting brands.
If the NRL was given the chance to make Super League even 25% as profitable as the Aussie version of the game, the Super League would still be over £10 million better off each season.
2. The Quality
The quality of the game will undoubtedly improve under NRL governance due to many factors, but here are the main three :
i) The pool of players will increase, meaning only the very best of the best will make it to the elite level.
ii) The Aussie style and flair: If we can adopt some of the style and skills currently on show in the NRL, that alone is enough to transform the sport
iii) The cash injection will elevate the quality of production and promotion of the Sport... just have a look at a few NRL promo videos after reading this article.
3. The Global branding
Some people have dubbed the potential deal as NRL Northern hemisphere or NRL NORTH, either way the connection of the two elite League's on opposite sides of the planet will build their global brand awareness and we'll start to see more household names in Rugby League, larger sponsors will be inclined to be associated with the Sport.
4. The Grassroots
Australia's entire population is less than half that of England's yet they have more young people playing Rugby League. If this merger was to go ahead, the NRL could aid the UK in developing the sport outside of heartlands and create more playing opportunities and funding for junior players.
SO what are the “Why not’S”
1. Cultural differences
Rugby League is a religion, it is a family and a whole community of people in the UK. Historically, tampering with people's religious views has never ended well. How sure are we that a merger between Super League and the NRL will preserve the individual identities and values across Rugby League clubs nationwide?
2. Less playing opportunities for our youngsters
Until our young players match the average level of the youngsters in the Southern Hemisphere the merger could cause more Southern Hemisphere imports into the UK system which will limit playing opportunities for our homegrown talent.
3. Super League isn't far off fixing their own problems
Does Super League really need the NRL? We know their TV deals are more than 4 times that of Super League, but we have the talent to match theirs... Your Tommy Makinson's, James Roby's, Reagan Graces, John Batemans. The athletic output in the Super League is... Super, the brand just needs more effective marketing and perhaps one day it'll match the heights of the NRL.
What do you think, let us know in the comments below or feedback on Twitter / Instagram!
Written by Shawn Boatin
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