If you want to make America great again, embrace rugby league.
That is the simple message from ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys as he rolled out the welcome mat for new US President Donald Trump to attend next month’s NRL season opener in Las Vegas.
Trump’s second inauguration took place on Tuesday (AEDT), and the president quickly turned his attention to big-ticket items such as border security, tariffs on imported goods and making it known he would only recognise two genders.
But league officials are hopeful that, once things start to settle down, Trump can find the time to attend Allegiant Stadium on the first weekend in March. His presence would give rugby league the kind of publicity money can’t buy.
V’landys personally invited Joe Biden to last year’s inaugural NRL action in Vegas when he met the former president during a dinner at the White House. Unfortunately for the NRL, Biden was unable to make it.
The chances of Trump being in Vegas are not as farfetched as some might think. The 78-year-old is a fan of contact sports and loves the city of Las Vegas.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys wants US President Donald Trump to be in Las Vegas for the start of the 2025 NRL season.Credit: Stephen Kiprillis
“We’d love to have the president there – we will certainly be inviting Mr Trump,” V’landys told this masthead on Saturday.
“It would pay dividends because it would generate significant publicity across America and worldwide.
“It would be worth millions of dollars and provide us the real breakthrough we have been looking for – it would go a long way to putting league on the map.
“It’s not impossible. We know his schedule is hectic, but we also know plenty of people who have ties to him.
The Rabbitohs celebrate a try in Las Vegas in 2024.Credit: Getty
“He also likes going to Vegas, he always attends the UFC there, he has a close relationship with [UFC chief] Dana White, and we have a good relationship with the UFC.
“It would be a real honour.”
Trump became the first presidential candidate in 20 years to win the state of Nevada. Las Vegas is the largest city in the state.
He loves his sport, especially golf, and has said in the past that he was responsible during his first campaign as president for making sure the US won the rights to host the 2026 football World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The New Zealand Warriors and Canberra, and premiers Penrith and Cronulla will lock horns in this year’s fixtures in the US.
Meanwhile, V’landys confirmed negotiations for a Perth team to enter the NRL were ongoing, but attention in the west had now turned to the state election. Voters will go to the polls on March 8, and all governments have traditionally been conservative and refused to commit to big projects until re-elected.
“I’m still very confident about Western Australia, and expect an announcement will be made sooner rather than later,” V’landys said.
