Reported in The Courier-Mail today:
The NRL’s plan to save Super League could be on the brink of collapse in what would be a devastating blow for the English game.
The ARLC has been investigating a Super League rescue package for the past year, but it’s understood UK broadcaster Sky Sports is reluctant to come to the party with a palatable deal to satisfy the NRL’s investment strategy.
There are suggestions DAZN, which now owns Foxtel, could support a Super League rescue package after former NRL CEO Andrew Abdo travelled to the UK in April for Super League buyout talks.
But V’landys says the Super League deal could hit a deadend.
That would be a potentially fatal blow for an ailing English game which is drowning in debt. Super League giants St Helens lost $6.5m alone last year.
“Look, we’re trying to make the figures work at the moment, but unless the figures work, we won’t do it,” he said.
“We’re having trouble making the figures work, that’s the truth of it.
“I don’t know what will happen. I find it very tough (to proceed with a purchase).
“We need to talk further with Super League. We haven’t put a proposal into them yet.
“We understand the importance of the international game, so we’re not giving up.”