THE RFL looks to be edging closer to finalising an agreement with the NRL that will lead to a partnership responsible for organising and running the Super League competition.
After talks were held in Sydney last week between NRL Executive Chairman Peter V’landys, RFL Chair Nigel Wood and RL Commercial chief executive Rhodri Jones, League Express understands that the two sides have finally managed to reach a stage whereby a proposal for a future agreement can finally be put to the clubs.
At this stage it appears that the agreement, which is likely to need approval from the clubs in a RFL Council meeting scheduled for December, could be introduced for the 2028 season, rather than next season.
Both sides were refusing to reveal what had transpired at last week’s meeting, although Rhodri Jones is expected to report back to the clubs this week, when progress towards a final agreement could be accelerated.
That would probably mean that DAZN, which owns Fox Sports in Australia, would become the second broadcaster of Super League games next season, taking matches four to seven after Sky Sports’ pick of the three most attractive games each weekend.
And it appears that the Super League clubs are likely to schedule a meeting to discuss having 15 clubs in Super League next season.
With approval requiring a bare minority of the clubs, it is thought likely that they will approve expansion, particularly as it now appears that London Broncos have agreed to receive no distribution of central funds if they are included in Super League from 2027.
