The Sydney Roosters have opened conversations with the NRL and multiple Super League clubs about the possibility of buying into a potential NRL run European competition.
Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis has held high-level conversations with ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys about the potential of buying into an English club, on the proviso the NRL takes ownership and control of the Super League – or starts a breakaway competition.
Politis, who last year launched the Los Angeles Roosters to help assist the game’s push into the United States, has also had conversations with Salford about helping the financially-struggling club.
Politis has a vision of trying to unite the entire Manchester region by rebranding the club and renaming them the Manchester Roosters. Other possibilities being considered is owning a team in London, or potentially even York.
“Nothing will happen unless the NRL is involved,” Politis said. “We see a lot of potential for the game in England and we want to be part of it if the NRL is on board. We see an opportunity and we will wait to see what happens next.”
The Sydney Roosters boss recently invited York Knights (second division side) owner Clint Goodchild to his chairman’s suite for the Roosters’ game against Penrith earlier this month.
The news of Politis’ interest comes on the back of revelations earlier this month that the NRL has agreed to consider a proposal to buy a 33 per cent stake in the Super League.
Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis is looking to potentially buy into a Super League club if the NRL takes ownership and control of the competition.Credit: Rhett Wyman
That consideration is on the proviso it gets complete administrative control of the struggling competition from 2028 as part of a bid to grow the sport internationally.
With the Super League competition and its clubs on their knees financially, NRL bosses agreed to a secret meeting with Wigan owner Mike Danson and Warrington owner Simon Moran in Las Vegas five weeks ago.
The wealthy owners want the NRL to rescue the competition and are speaking to all Super League clubs before submitting a formal proposal to NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys.
The NRL has made it clear that it will not approach the Super League to buy a stake in the competition, but would be open to striking a deal if the clubs are keen for the NRL to take over the running of the game.
Super League fans outside of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas earlier this year.Credit: Getty Images
Under one of the proposed models being considered, the Super League could be renamed and have a 10-team competition run across two countries. The preferred model would see eight teams play out of England and two out of France.
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking under the condition of anonymity due to confidentiality said that the six powerful clubs – St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Hull Kingston Rovers and Hull FC – have indicated their willingness to be part of the revamp.
The two clubs in France would be the Catalans Dragons and a team in Toulouse. The remaining two spots would be filled by two English clubs, with the Roosters now eyeing one of those spots.
A takeover deal was struck in February when a consortium led by Swiss businessman Dario Berta agreed to clear the Red Devils’ debt. The consortium vowed to make additional significant investment, but prospective bidders are keeping a close eye on the situation.
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