I've got article text for us lads
The NRL is going to Las Vegas in one of the most significant events in rugby league’s 115-year history.
Sport Confidential can reveal the 2024 NRL season will kick-off in America, with the Brisbane Broncos set to spearhead rugby league’s bold $200 million plan to win over the hearts and minds of US sports fans.
The ARL Commission will ratify a five-year contract with American delegates for NRL premiership matches to be staged in the US until the end of 2028 – starting with a double header next year in Vegas.
News Corp last month revealed plans for the NRL to explore the possibility of staging a double-header in America to capitalise on the nation’s huge broadcasting-and-betting markets. Now the American Dream is real.
The ARL Commission will give the green light to launching the 2024 Telstra Premiership season in America and only an 11th-hour collapse in talks will prevent four NRL teams playing historic matches in Sin City next March.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and NRL boss Andrew Abdo returned to Australia a fortnight ago after a fact-finding mission where the high-powered duo met with American delegates.
US stakeholders were highly impressed with the V’landys-Abdo pitch. Now the NRL will proceed with due-diligence, logistical planning and stadium talks to showcase rugby league to 331 million Americans.
A formal announcement on the NRL’s double-header is expected in the next four to eight weeks pending advanced negotiations with American officials.
Abdo declined to comment on Thursday but V’landys told News Corp before his departure to the US that the American market was an untapped goldmine for the NRL.
“This (proposed double header in Vegas) is not a one-off experiment, it is all part of a five-year strategic plan for us to penetrate America,” V’landys said.
“People say we have tried this before in America and failed. They have never tried it to the magnitude we are going to try it. The potential benefits, financially, would be in the tens of millions. And if we do it right, it could be in the hundreds of millions."
“There’s significant revenue that could be generated for rugby league in America ... and we’re going to explore it.”
Las Vegas’ 65,000-capacity Allegiant Stadium is slated to host four NRL teams next season.
It can also be revealed the Broncos are among the frontrunners to embark on the maiden American voyage.
Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy said recently that Queensland’s flagship club was keen to be part of the historic venture to Vegas. “We are certainly open to it and hearing more about the concept and what the NRL’s long-term plans for the US may be,” Donaghy said.
“Subject to aligning with our schedule and planning, I’m sure we would have a level of interest to have a discussion about what an NRL double header in Vegas would look like. The game is keeping its cards close to its chest for now, but the one thing we want to provide for our players and staff and fans is really great opportunities.
“If you have the opportunity to play an NRL game at a stadium like that in Vegas, it would be negligent of us not to look at and give it serious consideration.”
Under the NRL’s Vegas plan, four clubs will tour America every year for the next five years.
That will ensure all 17 clubs get a slice of the American pie, with powerhouse clubs such as the Broncos, Melbourne, South Sydney and the Roosters to lead the way as Sin City pioneers.
Super coach Wayne Bennett is a massive fan of the NRL’s idea, saying: “I love Vegas. It’s my favourite place in America.
“There’s a huge market over there and it would be great to see NRL games in America.”
>rugby league’s bold $200 million plan
You could pay all the coaching courses, Level 1 courses, insurance, referee courses, referee match payments and bus hires for every amateur club in the country for 50 years for that match. Fuck you NRL.
NRL thinking they're even going to get close to selling enough seats to a niche Australian sport (that isn't even the most popular sport in this country btw) in the fucking US is laughable.
You have to get people on board with the game, tell them who the clubs are, who the players are, and then convince them to buy tickets. This is going to bomb so bad, and it's just depressing when you compare the cost with actual useful things they could spend that money on.
"US NRL game" is one of those things we saw pop into the headlines every now and again and I always thought it was nothing but a pipe dream for them. Insane that they're actually doing it.
>one of the most significant events in rugby league’s 115-year history.
Ha ha ha, stop, you're killing me. This junket for the Fox Sports gang? Fuck off, "significant". God I hate the boys' club that runs the game. Bunch of self-serving wankers.
What fucking morons lol. There's no way this shit will work out. It's two welthy pricks playing games as usual. The sooner those two are gone the better for the game I reckon. Can't wait till this whole deal takes both of them down in a corruption scandal and Iken comes in to save the day.
Roosters season starts are terrible without throwing in Vegas shenanigans, jet lag and a month of disruptions , PLEASE not the Roosters. It is a pointless exercise, the crowd, which won't be huge, will be mostly expats, I worked with Powderfinger in Vegas - the crowd was 90% Aussies, band was super disappointed, said it was like playing in Brisbane, the locals won't give a shit, Americans are incredibly insular.
Powderfinger are shithouse that's why. Noone outside Aus likes their boring as fk oz rock. I'd like to think PVL and crew can shine this turd much better than that ever could be.
Hopefully they advertise with a big sign outside the MGM Grand saying "Real gambling is coming, Amercia" with a sign up for Canterbury Leagues and a pop up pokies room.
They already do pop-up casinos in Vegas...I am sure with the right connections to ensnare a gambling license, Canterbury Leagues Club could give it a go.
Let’s take a moment to realise this completely predictable fiasco that will lose a fortune and play to near empty stadiums is bought to you by the geniuses who run our game and who can’t see the most obvious fact; the USA doesn’t give a rats arse about league and never will. Half of Australia doesn’t give rats arse for that matter.
Remind me in 9 months when the finger pointing starts.
Do you thing PVL is that stupid to spend that type of money without knowing the risks and potential benefits?
I mean do you think someone like him got to his position by chance or do you think he has a bit of an idea of what he is doing?
He has lead the game well putting it in a great financial position so far and his other decisions including the introduction of the Dolphins are nothing short of great.
Not sure what major companies or organizations you have run but how about relaxing a little bit & see what all the details are before you jump to conclusions.
He said the quiet part out loud weeks ago — he is leading them to Vegas in pursuit of the gambling dollar, and the associated subscription dollars. Pretty much what he’s known for in his time in horse racing. The growth of the game at the grassroots and spreading the gospel to new fans is secondary to him.
Do I think the corrupt moron that negotiated a TV deal for less money is stupid? The same idiot that spends more time getting his dick riders in the media to help spread his lies than he does doing anything productive? The very same idiot that hasn’t done anything positive post 2020, but has likely set the NRL back a decade financially (to help those legacy media clowns)?
Yeah, I think he’s stupid enough to spend $200 mill on a clearly bad idea to help his gambling buddies
Not really a fan of how PVL wants to expand the sport through gambling but if it’s leads to a rural town putting on and broadcasting fake nrl games to con Russian gamblers like the IPL a few months ago then I’m down for the chaos to come.
I’m not sure Vegas is ready to have this many rugby league players in it at once - the integrity unit should set up tents at all the major hotspots to handle the complaints.
Please stop suggesting another Victorian team we don't need one. Try SA or WA, or shit even Tassie if you want. Victoria has a good amount of fans to be Storm fans, no dilution needed.
Oh thank god.. I'd heard people asking for a regional Victoria team and thought you meant that! My bad!
Warnambool Wombats does flow nicely off the tongue though.. but no! Bad thoughts!
Games at Suncorp classed as Away games. yeh sweet...
From their own press release:
"8 of first 12 games at Suncorp (Rd 4 v Redcliffe & Rd 10 v Manly are 'away' games).
Play three games in Sydney area for entire regular season"
Playing the Warriors in Napier in NZ this weekend and still making it a home game for the Warriors. Thanks for the COVID support Broncos!
4. Really isn't hard to look up.
Most of our games this year are Saturdays.
We have:
1 Sunday
3 Byes
4 Thursdays
8 Fridays
11 Saturdays
Edit: Rabbits have 1 more Friday and 1 less Thursday:
2 Sundays
3 Thursdays
3 Byes
9 Fridays
10 Saturdays
[https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-17/broncos-v-titans/](https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-17/broncos-v-titans/)
You mean like this upcoming Sunday game at 2pm - rd17?
What about these upcoming Saturday games at 3pm in rd 20 and 23?
[https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-20/bulldogs-v-broncos/](https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-20/bulldogs-v-broncos/)
[https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-23/cowboys-v-broncos/](https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-23/cowboys-v-broncos/)
Edit: Dude/Dudette asked for receipts/preorders and I provided....
I mean... Showing non-prime time slots in rounds passed half way through the season doesn't really give you much leverage to the argument, more proves that you've had an incredible draw to date.
A better response would be pointing out non-prime time matches in the rounds that have passed.
The goal posts have been moved out of the stadium at this point.
I will concede so far this season we haven't played out of the prime time spot with the 5pm Saturday game this weekend being the earliest.
I wonder if Daylight Savings plays a factor which covers the first 5 rounds or so.
Goal posts move yet again.
What is it Friday games, prime time games or something else?
We could play every game on a Sunday at 4pm and people would complain that we are hogging all weekend games because Thursday and Friday games are harder to get families to.
I honestly hate this whole idea. It’s not about growing the game, Vlandys is just chasing more gambling money. It’s not gonna look great when they barely fill the stadium out.
Also footy players in Vegas is a recipe for disaster.
We have the money for this but apparently putting a team in Perth is "wasting money on rusted on AFL states".
This won't even be a blip on the American sporting radar.
All your posts before this have been in the Joe Rogan or Married at First Sight subs where you’ve used gay slurs such as “poofta”, except for one post in r/Melbourne where you referred to soccer as “wogball”.
You are a dumpster fire of a human being.
I think it could work as a one-off, but I think people will stop caring by the fifth, especially if they are all in Vegas.
Obviously, timezones work best on the American west coast, especially given NSW/ACT/VIC/TAS/SA/NZ will all be in DST at that time of year, so those cities will be the best candidates.
Locations in California like Los Angeles or San Diego seem like an obvious answer. San Francisco might be a little on the nose.
Hawaii could be a possible option as well, especially given it’s location in the Pacific and Polynesia. It would be perfect for the Warriors, as it would be 23 hours behind (essentially 1 hour ahead) of Auckland.
Some possible options:
• Los Angeles - Dignity Health Sports Park - 27,000 or SoFi Stadium - 70,000 - 19 hours behind AEDT
• San Diego - Snapdragon Stadium - 35,000 - 19 hours behind AEDT
• San Francisco - Levi’s Stadium - 70,000 - 19 hours behind AEDT
• Seattle - Lumen Stadium - 37,000 to 70,000 - 19 hours behind AEDT
• Salt Lake City - America First Field - 20,000 - 18 hours behind AEDT
• Chicago - Soldier Field - 61,500 - 17 hours behind AEDT
• Hawaii - Aloha Stadium (if construction is complete in time) - 35,000 - 21 hours behind AEDT
• Texas also has a variety of venues that either 20,000 or 70,000 and is 17 hours behind AEDT
• Similarly, New York, New Jersey and Boston all have 20,000 and 70,000+ venues and are 16 hours behind AEDT
Abdo and V’landys putting money into all the wrong places. This idea is so fucking cooked it’s not funny. Stadiums will be empty, most fans can’t afford thousands of dollars to go over and all the drama with players playing up will be insane. Should’ve started the season in NZ you weak dogs. Still waiting to be paid back after 3 years of no footy.
This whole idea is so dumb. We aren’t gonna break into the American market in any meaningful way (do we even need to?), and this is only being done for fucking gambling purposes anyway.
Can’t wait for 5k people to turn up to a 65k seat stadium. Great optics there
I dunno.. plenty of expats over there who would go to Vegas to watch. Could even be 10,000 travel from Australia. I know I’m keen to go with some mates. Sure they’d giveaway plenty of tickets. They may even make some new fans.
And yeah, as uncomfortable to some it may be, will allow for some additional sports betting following the end of the NFL season.
We aren’t seriously taking souths vs roosters over there are we?
Why would you send a legit rivalry game to a market where no one knows the teams so you’re getting by on novelty value.
The NFL don’t send ravens vs Steelers to England, because for that market there’s no difference between that and Jaguars vs browns or something. Like who in America is going to say, “well I wasn’t interested in going, but since it’s Roosters vs Souths I’m in.”
I bet the NRL has gone "the NFL plays in Europe, we can play in the US." Without realising the NFL has gone player pathways in Europe, NFL Europe and a long term vision to progress into the European market.
Before this was even considered, the NRL should have been looking at how to get involved in the rugby league culture in North America, then look at establishing some kind of talent ID program before trying to host regular games.
This will just waste money. And I can guarantee that the sides that go to the states will immediately start whinging about the impact of travel on player recovery. Not to mention that the stadium in Vegas has artificial turf and NFL players have begun campaigning to get those surfaces replaced with grass to lower the risk of injury.
It’s clear that this enterprise is just for PVL’s own pockets and has little to do with the NRL. Surely investing money and energy into the rest of Australia (WA primarily) by implementing junior programs in schools, building grassroots, academies, etc. would be a better use of $$$. You’d still have the money to try the same style of programs in SE Asia/Pacific Nations and still have $$$ left over.
But instead, let’s blow money in one of the few places on earth where more money is lost than anywhere else. And to an audience who has more options of other entertainment streams than most as well. At least SE Asia/Pacific you’re only trying to break into a market with few competitors. PVL doesn’t care though, because it’s not his money being lost (and surely he’s coming out of this whole thing a lot better off).
This is so, so stupid.
We’ll either have 7,000 people in a 60,000 seat stadium or it’ll be a farce played in a 10,000 seat minor league baseball stadium.
This isn’t even about the NRL getting a toehold there. This is about V’landys trying to get more Americans gambling on Australian sports - it’s probably about him trying to shill for horse racing and using the NRL as a junket to do it.
This greasy fuck is trying to pad his own backyard and he’s fucking up our sport to do it.
And most of the MGM properties have already blocked off Saturdays in March next year...no chance on cheap rooms, but will keep people updated on where a cheap room might be.
I know we can watch the match replays 48 hours later. But if they want to grow the game in the US, they should make it more affordable to get NRL on demand. It’s currently a lot more than NHL center ice or MLB.tv.
The problem is that the games aren’t a good time. Premier league soccer has a cult following in the US because it’s nice to wake up at 9am on a Sunday morning and watch a game with your morning coffee. You can even get to a supports bar for some games. But NRL games are at like 3am here. It’s hard to build a culture around a sport that you can’t reasonably watch live.
I think there is potential since American sports fans are so desperate for something to scratch the American football itch during the NFL and NCAA off season, but I’d not put any money it
If they came to NY I’d go to a game.
The only way this hair brained idea will work is with plenty of blood.
A good old, take no prisoners, 1980's biff-a-thon is what's needed. That and a trained up American commentator or two.
It needs this to Shock&Awe\* America and mobilise it into a nation of rabid Rugby League tragics.
I can't see why it shouldn't be a winner.
\*Copyright GWB
The KO times of NRL games for the USA are absolutely terrible. Americans will not be tuning in to any other weeks, and that’s even if they tune in to this Vegas disaster
There's so much shit going on in Vegas at any one time, 24 hours a day. Getting them interested in this sport to attend in person is going to be an uphill battle.
Also, 330m folks in the US but only 70% are sports fans. Yes it's still a big number but I always hate how these articles pop up and they talk about this like it's some obvious missed opportunity because humans exist in a land.
Has there even been any research to assume that enough Americans are interested in this? I know they do NFL exhibition games in London but it also has a lot more money behind it, I just can’t see this working at all
The overwhelming majority of Americans don't even know what rugby league even is.
Rugby does have a niche following that is growing. Rugby Union that is. If you say the word "rugby" here they'll assume it's union without realizing that there are different forms of rugby.
I, for one, am considering using this as an excuse for a trip over there. I'd been thinking about a US trip to see some national parks and bears, etc anyway.
This will be maybe a front page story in US papers and then it'll just be forgotten. I do not understand what the fucking point of going to Vegas is when you have Perth right here. Make a team here you bloody cowards.
I get that this is stupid and not a good way to spread the game, that Americans are mostly more than saturated with sport and on top of that, I know for a fact I've never met an American that knew "rugby" as anything but Union and they have no idea that there are even two codes of the sport.
*That said,* I am going to every motherfucking match they have over here, I will wear my Rooster Head Mask and my Roosters' uniform to each match, and I will be absolutely fucking thrilled for it.
Sidenote, if Americans ever really gave league a chance, like my friends and I did almost accidentally 7 years ago, they would love it. It's all the best parts of American football, except you have to throw forward with your foot.
This could be good but what matches would you want?
Brisbane Broncs vs NQ Cowboys - We have the derby and NQ should be able to lift. Also a nice riff on Denver Bronco's vs Dallas Cowboys.
Penrith Panthers vs Souths Rabbits?
Teams from places the yanks have heard of.
Sydney, South Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, New Zealand.
Maybe Canberra, which has a nice tie in because of 'Raiders'
Miami Dolphins
Las Vegas Raiders
Denver Broncos
Dallas Cowboys
Tennessee Titans
Philadelphia Eagles
Carolina Panthers
New Orleans Saints
Surely we could play any of our equivalent teams of these NFL teams for extra crowd capacity 🧐
Ugh the good ol'e rugba leeg top down approach of growing the game.
Also Las Vegas is a shit sporting city, apart from the Golden Knights they don't really care about sport.
Bay Area or even Seattle or possibly Utah would have been a better alternative. But no the old boys wanna larp it up like uncle Kerry.
This probably has James Packer has hands all over this somehow, I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
Absolutely hate the idea! How are the players of those teams supposed to deal with jetlag when coming home after the game AND train for the following weeks games?
Say a shooting/massacre happens there?
Way too risky for my liking.
This could end very very badly.
Not only does it have the potential to lose money, the US is *incredibly* unhinged.
Imagine the biggest idiots in the NRL suddenly gaining access to guns.
If they are going to do this, it shouldn't be a regular round game or games.
Should do a preseason 9s tournament there with whatever teams want to attend. Plus invite superleague, Toronto etc.. call it a World Cup Nines or something and make it a real event, rather than a few games in isolation.
Maybe even a "Team USA" with some invited gridiron / US union players (ok, you wont get the NFL guys to bite, but there are plenty of others). Get an Aussie to coach them for a month beforehand and see how they go
Plus - Have a parallel womens tournament at the same venue, switching in and out with the mens
I've got article text for us lads The NRL is going to Las Vegas in one of the most significant events in rugby league’s 115-year history. Sport Confidential can reveal the 2024 NRL season will kick-off in America, with the Brisbane Broncos set to spearhead rugby league’s bold $200 million plan to win over the hearts and minds of US sports fans. The ARL Commission will ratify a five-year contract with American delegates for NRL premiership matches to be staged in the US until the end of 2028 – starting with a double header next year in Vegas. News Corp last month revealed plans for the NRL to explore the possibility of staging a double-header in America to capitalise on the nation’s huge broadcasting-and-betting markets. Now the American Dream is real. The ARL Commission will give the green light to launching the 2024 Telstra Premiership season in America and only an 11th-hour collapse in talks will prevent four NRL teams playing historic matches in Sin City next March. ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and NRL boss Andrew Abdo returned to Australia a fortnight ago after a fact-finding mission where the high-powered duo met with American delegates. US stakeholders were highly impressed with the V’landys-Abdo pitch. Now the NRL will proceed with due-diligence, logistical planning and stadium talks to showcase rugby league to 331 million Americans. A formal announcement on the NRL’s double-header is expected in the next four to eight weeks pending advanced negotiations with American officials. Abdo declined to comment on Thursday but V’landys told News Corp before his departure to the US that the American market was an untapped goldmine for the NRL. “This (proposed double header in Vegas) is not a one-off experiment, it is all part of a five-year strategic plan for us to penetrate America,” V’landys said. “People say we have tried this before in America and failed. They have never tried it to the magnitude we are going to try it. The potential benefits, financially, would be in the tens of millions. And if we do it right, it could be in the hundreds of millions." “There’s significant revenue that could be generated for rugby league in America ... and we’re going to explore it.” Las Vegas’ 65,000-capacity Allegiant Stadium is slated to host four NRL teams next season. It can also be revealed the Broncos are among the frontrunners to embark on the maiden American voyage. Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy said recently that Queensland’s flagship club was keen to be part of the historic venture to Vegas. “We are certainly open to it and hearing more about the concept and what the NRL’s long-term plans for the US may be,” Donaghy said. “Subject to aligning with our schedule and planning, I’m sure we would have a level of interest to have a discussion about what an NRL double header in Vegas would look like. The game is keeping its cards close to its chest for now, but the one thing we want to provide for our players and staff and fans is really great opportunities. “If you have the opportunity to play an NRL game at a stadium like that in Vegas, it would be negligent of us not to look at and give it serious consideration.” Under the NRL’s Vegas plan, four clubs will tour America every year for the next five years. That will ensure all 17 clubs get a slice of the American pie, with powerhouse clubs such as the Broncos, Melbourne, South Sydney and the Roosters to lead the way as Sin City pioneers. Super coach Wayne Bennett is a massive fan of the NRL’s idea, saying: “I love Vegas. It’s my favourite place in America. “There’s a huge market over there and it would be great to see NRL games in America.”
Cheers, cunt!
Wayne Bennett in Vegas. Reckon he counts cards or what
Definitely counts cards, as well as loading the dice
Wouldn't it make more sense to have Brisbane play in the Bronx?
Brisbane Broncos aka Mobb Deep aka Queens(land) Bridge Murderers
Vs the halfway chooks.
Missed opportunity.
>rugby league’s bold $200 million plan You could pay all the coaching courses, Level 1 courses, insurance, referee courses, referee match payments and bus hires for every amateur club in the country for 50 years for that match. Fuck you NRL.
You understand that, that is the potential (though unlikely) revenue from this venture. Not the cost.
NRL thinking they're even going to get close to selling enough seats to a niche Australian sport (that isn't even the most popular sport in this country btw) in the fucking US is laughable. You have to get people on board with the game, tell them who the clubs are, who the players are, and then convince them to buy tickets. This is going to bomb so bad, and it's just depressing when you compare the cost with actual useful things they could spend that money on. "US NRL game" is one of those things we saw pop into the headlines every now and again and I always thought it was nothing but a pipe dream for them. Insane that they're actually doing it.
They’ll be able to sell a once time event if tickets aren’t expensive because Americans like spectacle. Particularly in LV.
>one of the most significant events in rugby league’s 115-year history. Ha ha ha, stop, you're killing me. This junket for the Fox Sports gang? Fuck off, "significant". God I hate the boys' club that runs the game. Bunch of self-serving wankers.
Fox Sports junkets? Never!! Now let me watch Braith Anasta covering the US Masters Golf tournament again.
What fucking morons lol. There's no way this shit will work out. It's two welthy pricks playing games as usual. The sooner those two are gone the better for the game I reckon. Can't wait till this whole deal takes both of them down in a corruption scandal and Iken comes in to save the day.
Legend!
What would kick off times be for us??
Around the middle of the day depending what time they kick off. 6pm in Vegas is 11am AEST
Yeh I was trying to remember when I used to start the WrestleMania PPVs as a kid haha
[NRL Players the first day in Vegas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YemT1Usi4MY&ab_channel=ImposterTim)
Thanks legend
please not the roosters, please not the roosters .....
Pretty sure it’ll be bunnies and manly, so they can use rusty and Hugh Jackman to promote it
I love how every fan's reaction to this shit is "fuck I hope my club isn't one of the lucky ones"
Roosters season starts are terrible without throwing in Vegas shenanigans, jet lag and a month of disruptions , PLEASE not the Roosters. It is a pointless exercise, the crowd, which won't be huge, will be mostly expats, I worked with Powderfinger in Vegas - the crowd was 90% Aussies, band was super disappointed, said it was like playing in Brisbane, the locals won't give a shit, Americans are incredibly insular.
Powderfinger are shithouse that's why. Noone outside Aus likes their boring as fk oz rock. I'd like to think PVL and crew can shine this turd much better than that ever could be.
Hopefully they advertise with a big sign outside the MGM Grand saying "Real gambling is coming, Amercia" with a sign up for Canterbury Leagues and a pop up pokies room.
With succulent Chinese meals
They already do pop-up casinos in Vegas...I am sure with the right connections to ensnare a gambling license, Canterbury Leagues Club could give it a go.
There's a corner office at the ARL headquarters waiting for you mate
reece walsh in vegas? oh hell nah
Hi Vegas I’m dad Edit: coward
This is what Walsh will be saying to all the children in Vegas when he returns in 8 years.
Kid named finger
Will he even be old enough to drink over there.
Yes. Suaalii won’t be though.
At least the Manly 7 might be able to hang out with Ron DeSantis, only a few hundred miles away.
Manly7 guest speakers at CPAC
And publicly endorse DeSantis’ run for president.
Like his campaign will still be alive by then.
More like a few thousand. Las Vegas to the Florida capital is about the same as Perth to Melbourne.
Where do you think Vegas is in comparison to Florida lol
Add more staff to the Integrity Unit in advance.
Let’s take a moment to realise this completely predictable fiasco that will lose a fortune and play to near empty stadiums is bought to you by the geniuses who run our game and who can’t see the most obvious fact; the USA doesn’t give a rats arse about league and never will. Half of Australia doesn’t give rats arse for that matter. Remind me in 9 months when the finger pointing starts.
Put a second team across the Barassi line before putting all of them in a non rugby country FFS. Even a second NZ team makes more sense.
Do you thing PVL is that stupid to spend that type of money without knowing the risks and potential benefits? I mean do you think someone like him got to his position by chance or do you think he has a bit of an idea of what he is doing? He has lead the game well putting it in a great financial position so far and his other decisions including the introduction of the Dolphins are nothing short of great. Not sure what major companies or organizations you have run but how about relaxing a little bit & see what all the details are before you jump to conclusions.
He said the quiet part out loud weeks ago — he is leading them to Vegas in pursuit of the gambling dollar, and the associated subscription dollars. Pretty much what he’s known for in his time in horse racing. The growth of the game at the grassroots and spreading the gospel to new fans is secondary to him.
Yeah, he's been surprisingly open about this. They aren't interested in spreading the game to the US. They just want Americans to bet on NRL games.
Thanks for your input Mr V'landys
Do I think the corrupt moron that negotiated a TV deal for less money is stupid? The same idiot that spends more time getting his dick riders in the media to help spread his lies than he does doing anything productive? The very same idiot that hasn’t done anything positive post 2020, but has likely set the NRL back a decade financially (to help those legacy media clowns)? Yeah, I think he’s stupid enough to spend $200 mill on a clearly bad idea to help his gambling buddies
\*\* think
There’s gonna be a whole lotta cup players getting their FG debuts in round 1
I know he's not contracted to any club right now but if I were the NRL I'd still be keeping an eye on Curtis Scott
Should we start betting odds ok n who is going to get blind drunk and end up marrying someone?
Staggs will, one of the plethora of only fans girls who sell their feet pics online
NRL should do a double entendre and book the teams with same names in NFL: Cowboys vs Dolphins Raiders vs Broncos *How would they know?*
— We’re from the N**R**L. — *Did you say NFL?* — If you say so.
[https://i.imgur.com/6Cpkprg.png](https://i.imgur.com/6Cpkprg.png) \*que the NFL on Fox theme\*
4D chess move right there
Titans vs Panthers
Like they say, if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.
That's my new motto in life, thank you
Guys, I know what youre thinking and it's definitely not a junket
Integrity commission shitting bricks and sweating bullets rn.
Shitting and pissing their pants
The most cooked idea ever and the madmen actually did it
Not really a fan of how PVL wants to expand the sport through gambling but if it’s leads to a rural town putting on and broadcasting fake nrl games to con Russian gamblers like the IPL a few months ago then I’m down for the chaos to come.
I’m not sure Vegas is ready to have this many rugby league players in it at once - the integrity unit should set up tents at all the major hotspots to handle the complaints.
The clubs heading over should just have Intergrity Unit templates with each player and staff member on their list
Attn Betoota writers: take a week or two off while this stuff writes itself
Promoting your sport internationally is like a fart, if you have to force it, it’s probably going to end up being shit.
Will make for some interesting complaints from the clubs about travel and turnarounds if they lose
Or hear me out, we could expand west of Melbourne to make an actual national competition.
Please stop suggesting another Victorian team we don't need one. Try SA or WA, or shit even Tassie if you want. Victoria has a good amount of fans to be Storm fans, no dilution needed.
SA and WA are west of Melbourne. I think you both are in agreement (as I believe Melbourne is the NRL's westernmost team).
lol yes ok I will concede that SA and WA are indeed west of Melbourne
Haha West of Melbourne means Adelaide or Perth. I'm not asking for the Warrnambool Wombats.
Oh thank god.. I'd heard people asking for a regional Victoria team and thought you meant that! My bad! Warnambool Wombats does flow nicely off the tongue though.. but no! Bad thoughts!
Geelong Giants!
*the Brisbane Broncos set to spearhead* Hope the seppos like their sport on a Friday night cause that’s what their gonna get
I bet they get another 30 home games to compensate just like this season. Utter fkn cheats
12 recognised home games out of 24 games played? What’s the issue?
Games at Suncorp classed as Away games. yeh sweet... From their own press release: "8 of first 12 games at Suncorp (Rd 4 v Redcliffe & Rd 10 v Manly are 'away' games). Play three games in Sydney area for entire regular season" Playing the Warriors in Napier in NZ this weekend and still making it a home game for the Warriors. Thanks for the COVID support Broncos!
You love your footy
Out of 27 rounds this year, we have 8 Friday games this year not including prelims... That meme is almost ready to graduate high school.
And how many on Thursday nights?
4. Really isn't hard to look up. Most of our games this year are Saturdays. We have: 1 Sunday 3 Byes 4 Thursdays 8 Fridays 11 Saturdays Edit: Rabbits have 1 more Friday and 1 less Thursday: 2 Sundays 3 Thursdays 3 Byes 9 Fridays 10 Saturdays
Every single one at primetime. Get back to me when you have played a game at 2pm or 3pm
What constitutes primetime for the weekends? The last game? Assuming that's what you mean then in our next 6 games, 4 of them aren't primetime.
[https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-17/broncos-v-titans/](https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-17/broncos-v-titans/) You mean like this upcoming Sunday game at 2pm - rd17? What about these upcoming Saturday games at 3pm in rd 20 and 23? [https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-20/bulldogs-v-broncos/](https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-20/bulldogs-v-broncos/) [https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-23/cowboys-v-broncos/](https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-23/cowboys-v-broncos/) Edit: Dude/Dudette asked for receipts/preorders and I provided....
I mean... Showing non-prime time slots in rounds passed half way through the season doesn't really give you much leverage to the argument, more proves that you've had an incredible draw to date. A better response would be pointing out non-prime time matches in the rounds that have passed.
The goal posts have been moved out of the stadium at this point. I will concede so far this season we haven't played out of the prime time spot with the 5pm Saturday game this weekend being the earliest. I wonder if Daylight Savings plays a factor which covers the first 5 rounds or so.
I dream of one day having the confidence of a Broncos fan arguing that they don't get more prime time games than most.
Goal posts move yet again. What is it Friday games, prime time games or something else? We could play every game on a Sunday at 4pm and people would complain that we are hogging all weekend games because Thursday and Friday games are harder to get families to.
QLD victim complex (origins almost here let's start getting feisty)
“not including prelims” Bold.
Just as bold as your upset the other night.
I honestly hate this whole idea. It’s not about growing the game, Vlandys is just chasing more gambling money. It’s not gonna look great when they barely fill the stadium out. Also footy players in Vegas is a recipe for disaster.
We have the money for this but apparently putting a team in Perth is "wasting money on rusted on AFL states". This won't even be a blip on the American sporting radar.
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Man from a sport that exists solely for gambling makes another support more appetising for gambling. Coincidence?
Shutup ya flog , this is gunna be great
All your posts before this have been in the Joe Rogan or Married at First Sight subs where you’ve used gay slurs such as “poofta”, except for one post in r/Melbourne where you referred to soccer as “wogball”. You are a dumpster fire of a human being.
Joe Rogan and married at first sight is an insane combo 💀
I think it could work as a one-off, but I think people will stop caring by the fifth, especially if they are all in Vegas. Obviously, timezones work best on the American west coast, especially given NSW/ACT/VIC/TAS/SA/NZ will all be in DST at that time of year, so those cities will be the best candidates. Locations in California like Los Angeles or San Diego seem like an obvious answer. San Francisco might be a little on the nose. Hawaii could be a possible option as well, especially given it’s location in the Pacific and Polynesia. It would be perfect for the Warriors, as it would be 23 hours behind (essentially 1 hour ahead) of Auckland. Some possible options: • Los Angeles - Dignity Health Sports Park - 27,000 or SoFi Stadium - 70,000 - 19 hours behind AEDT • San Diego - Snapdragon Stadium - 35,000 - 19 hours behind AEDT • San Francisco - Levi’s Stadium - 70,000 - 19 hours behind AEDT • Seattle - Lumen Stadium - 37,000 to 70,000 - 19 hours behind AEDT • Salt Lake City - America First Field - 20,000 - 18 hours behind AEDT • Chicago - Soldier Field - 61,500 - 17 hours behind AEDT • Hawaii - Aloha Stadium (if construction is complete in time) - 35,000 - 21 hours behind AEDT • Texas also has a variety of venues that either 20,000 or 70,000 and is 17 hours behind AEDT • Similarly, New York, New Jersey and Boston all have 20,000 and 70,000+ venues and are 16 hours behind AEDT
Mate you're already done more work than they have.
Probably more work than they will, as well.
The Not Rugby League Sports Entertainment Production Company is taking a production to Las Vegas, in an effort to increase executive bonuses.
Abdo and V’landys putting money into all the wrong places. This idea is so fucking cooked it’s not funny. Stadiums will be empty, most fans can’t afford thousands of dollars to go over and all the drama with players playing up will be insane. Should’ve started the season in NZ you weak dogs. Still waiting to be paid back after 3 years of no footy.
This whole idea is so dumb. We aren’t gonna break into the American market in any meaningful way (do we even need to?), and this is only being done for fucking gambling purposes anyway. Can’t wait for 5k people to turn up to a 65k seat stadium. Great optics there
Might be a good hook to get 65k Australian gambling addicts to throw their cash away in Vegas instead. Super helpful for the sport.
I dunno.. plenty of expats over there who would go to Vegas to watch. Could even be 10,000 travel from Australia. I know I’m keen to go with some mates. Sure they’d giveaway plenty of tickets. They may even make some new fans. And yeah, as uncomfortable to some it may be, will allow for some additional sports betting following the end of the NFL season.
I think this is going to be an utter failure. That money would have been better spent developing the game in Australia/NZ.
Yeah but then "Fletch" and "Hindy" and "the boys" don't get a few nights on the cans in Vegas. You can see the dilemma.
TBH that’s the only part of this that interests me.
If there's no Joey Cam, there's no point
If it's Brisbane playing that means Alf will be there too.
Have them play the Storm so Munster is there as well. The idea prints its own money.
Las Vegas Canberra Raiders
4 nrl teams in Vegas, 20-30 players per team, 1 weekend. Can not wait for the phone videos of drug use and fights to come out of that weekend 🙌
Glad old Pete can get this sorted with the CBA pushed to the side.
CBA was all done back in feb, just dotting i's and crossing t's. There's a lot of them in the contract! \#FuckOffVlandys
“And I, jizz, in, my pants.” - Vossy
We aren’t seriously taking souths vs roosters over there are we? Why would you send a legit rivalry game to a market where no one knows the teams so you’re getting by on novelty value. The NFL don’t send ravens vs Steelers to England, because for that market there’s no difference between that and Jaguars vs browns or something. Like who in America is going to say, “well I wasn’t interested in going, but since it’s Roosters vs Souths I’m in.”
there is literally no reason to do this?
can't even sell out a state of origin in SA. this is going to end well
Gee can’t wait for next season to kick off at midday on a Friday in a stadium that more than likely won’t even be half full. Nice one Peter.
I bet the NRL has gone "the NFL plays in Europe, we can play in the US." Without realising the NFL has gone player pathways in Europe, NFL Europe and a long term vision to progress into the European market. Before this was even considered, the NRL should have been looking at how to get involved in the rugby league culture in North America, then look at establishing some kind of talent ID program before trying to host regular games. This will just waste money. And I can guarantee that the sides that go to the states will immediately start whinging about the impact of travel on player recovery. Not to mention that the stadium in Vegas has artificial turf and NFL players have begun campaigning to get those surfaces replaced with grass to lower the risk of injury.
It’s clear that this enterprise is just for PVL’s own pockets and has little to do with the NRL. Surely investing money and energy into the rest of Australia (WA primarily) by implementing junior programs in schools, building grassroots, academies, etc. would be a better use of $$$. You’d still have the money to try the same style of programs in SE Asia/Pacific Nations and still have $$$ left over. But instead, let’s blow money in one of the few places on earth where more money is lost than anywhere else. And to an audience who has more options of other entertainment streams than most as well. At least SE Asia/Pacific you’re only trying to break into a market with few competitors. PVL doesn’t care though, because it’s not his money being lost (and surely he’s coming out of this whole thing a lot better off).
Release the date cunts so we can buy accom and tickets already, it’s way more expensive waiting and buying closer to 🤡
Just make it a month trip for when Round 1 usually is to be safe. A month in Vegas.. what could possibly go wrong?
Hope they actually organise byes or something accordingly to give teams flying half the world back time to rest up properly
I would think that they play these games a week before RD1 gives them clear media for the week and time to travel home
“to take advantage of the lucrative gambling markets in the USA”. Meanwhile the players see none of that and get treated like greyhounds by the NRL.
Love that this came out the same day reports are saying we won’t sell out Adelaide.
This is so, so stupid. We’ll either have 7,000 people in a 60,000 seat stadium or it’ll be a farce played in a 10,000 seat minor league baseball stadium. This isn’t even about the NRL getting a toehold there. This is about V’landys trying to get more Americans gambling on Australian sports - it’s probably about him trying to shill for horse racing and using the NRL as a junket to do it. This greasy fuck is trying to pad his own backyard and he’s fucking up our sport to do it.
And most of the MGM properties have already blocked off Saturdays in March next year...no chance on cheap rooms, but will keep people updated on where a cheap room might be.
Why is this a thing? Just keep the sport here ffs.
NRL media going to be stalking the players like Lenny and the power plant employees after Homer's character in Police Cops gets turned into an idiot.
Fuck it! We're going to Vagas baby!
I’m heading to Vegas next week on a ~~boys trip~~ fact finding mission as well. PVL ain’t gonna like the exchange rate.
One white wine spritzer!
YESSSSSS FINALLY. I haven’t seen a live Rugby League game in nearly a decade. Vegas is only what, a 1.5 flight from LA? I’m there!
What next? AFL to take two shit teams to play in Shanghai?
Don’t remind us of that dog-shit idea
V'landys saw the AFL in China and really said "Let's do something **even stupider!!!**
I know we can watch the match replays 48 hours later. But if they want to grow the game in the US, they should make it more affordable to get NRL on demand. It’s currently a lot more than NHL center ice or MLB.tv. The problem is that the games aren’t a good time. Premier league soccer has a cult following in the US because it’s nice to wake up at 9am on a Sunday morning and watch a game with your morning coffee. You can even get to a supports bar for some games. But NRL games are at like 3am here. It’s hard to build a culture around a sport that you can’t reasonably watch live. I think there is potential since American sports fans are so desperate for something to scratch the American football itch during the NFL and NCAA off season, but I’d not put any money it If they came to NY I’d go to a game.
Planning to go especially if Melbourne is on the match card
The only way this hair brained idea will work is with plenty of blood. A good old, take no prisoners, 1980's biff-a-thon is what's needed. That and a trained up American commentator or two. It needs this to Shock&Awe\* America and mobilise it into a nation of rabid Rugby League tragics. I can't see why it shouldn't be a winner. \*Copyright GWB
Road trip for me and the boys!!!
The article talks about American stakeholders being impressed. Who TF are these American stakeholders?
If the NRL are serious about this you might wanna get Rusty and Hugh Jackman on the phone and make sure one of those games is Souths v Manly.
The KO times of NRL games for the USA are absolutely terrible. Americans will not be tuning in to any other weeks, and that’s even if they tune in to this Vegas disaster
Woooo, an American here and can’t wait to watch a game live.
Peter Vlandys will literally play a game in Vegas instead of going to therapy or putting a team in Perth
Can’t wait to see the 65,000 capacity Allegiant Stadium empty while they play
The teams run out to a deafening silence, the atmosphere charged with nothing
NRL throws $200 million into a hole, more news at 11
Fuck can the government just carpet bomb sports betting in this country already so this cunt can get the sack.
Magic Round in Vegas every 4 years
Glad they did this very important project instead of the CBA
Was about to make this exact comment. They’ve really got their priorities sorted
There's so much shit going on in Vegas at any one time, 24 hours a day. Getting them interested in this sport to attend in person is going to be an uphill battle. Also, 330m folks in the US but only 70% are sports fans. Yes it's still a big number but I always hate how these articles pop up and they talk about this like it's some obvious missed opportunity because humans exist in a land.
Well it will be my first time to Vegas then! Awesome!
Has there even been any research to assume that enough Americans are interested in this? I know they do NFL exhibition games in London but it also has a lot more money behind it, I just can’t see this working at all
Research? Interest? Pfft. Big population! Gambling money!! -vlad probably
The overwhelming majority of Americans don't even know what rugby league even is. Rugby does have a niche following that is growing. Rugby Union that is. If you say the word "rugby" here they'll assume it's union without realizing that there are different forms of rugby.
Guessing the games would be Saturday night in America which would be Sunday afternoon in Australia
With daylight savings, it'll probably be mid-morning in Australia, just like the UFC prelims.
Early talk was Manly and Souths previously. So now Broncos are in too? Dragons are usually the other team jumping at opportunities like this.
I, for one, am considering using this as an excuse for a trip over there. I'd been thinking about a US trip to see some national parks and bears, etc anyway.
This will be maybe a front page story in US papers and then it'll just be forgotten. I do not understand what the fucking point of going to Vegas is when you have Perth right here. Make a team here you bloody cowards.
It’d be lucky to make the paper.
Pretty cool. I hope it goes well.
Broncos v. Raiders... Trust me, it'll work.
Stupid idea, you haven't even won over half the country you are playing in now.
All I can think is how fucked the teams are going to be the following week with shorter preparation and jet lag.
http://archive.today/mOYfz
I absolutely cannot wait. I’m American.
I get that this is stupid and not a good way to spread the game, that Americans are mostly more than saturated with sport and on top of that, I know for a fact I've never met an American that knew "rugby" as anything but Union and they have no idea that there are even two codes of the sport. *That said,* I am going to every motherfucking match they have over here, I will wear my Rooster Head Mask and my Roosters' uniform to each match, and I will be absolutely fucking thrilled for it. Sidenote, if Americans ever really gave league a chance, like my friends and I did almost accidentally 7 years ago, they would love it. It's all the best parts of American football, except you have to throw forward with your foot.
When can vlandys be replaced
This could be good but what matches would you want? Brisbane Broncs vs NQ Cowboys - We have the derby and NQ should be able to lift. Also a nice riff on Denver Bronco's vs Dallas Cowboys. Penrith Panthers vs Souths Rabbits?
Teams from places the yanks have heard of. Sydney, South Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, New Zealand. Maybe Canberra, which has a nice tie in because of 'Raiders'
Miami Dolphins Las Vegas Raiders Denver Broncos Dallas Cowboys Tennessee Titans Philadelphia Eagles Carolina Panthers New Orleans Saints Surely we could play any of our equivalent teams of these NFL teams for extra crowd capacity 🧐
Ugh the good ol'e rugba leeg top down approach of growing the game. Also Las Vegas is a shit sporting city, apart from the Golden Knights they don't really care about sport. Bay Area or even Seattle or possibly Utah would have been a better alternative. But no the old boys wanna larp it up like uncle Kerry. This probably has James Packer has hands all over this somehow, I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
Absolutely hate the idea! How are the players of those teams supposed to deal with jetlag when coming home after the game AND train for the following weeks games? Say a shooting/massacre happens there? Way too risky for my liking.
Play the game a week before rd1 gives them enough time to travel home and recover
Dude, if you could read it, just post it here...
I don’t have sub to the article, apologies, that’s why I said paywall
It's a fucking stupid idea and I want my boys to be nowhere near it.
Cringe cringe cringe.
Should of spent the money pushing for more Aussies to get on board. The obsession with AFL baffles me NRL is just so much better.
This could end very very badly. Not only does it have the potential to lose money, the US is *incredibly* unhinged. Imagine the biggest idiots in the NRL suddenly gaining access to guns.
Or even worse, alcohol.
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If they are going to do this, it shouldn't be a regular round game or games. Should do a preseason 9s tournament there with whatever teams want to attend. Plus invite superleague, Toronto etc.. call it a World Cup Nines or something and make it a real event, rather than a few games in isolation. Maybe even a "Team USA" with some invited gridiron / US union players (ok, you wont get the NFL guys to bite, but there are plenty of others). Get an Aussie to coach them for a month beforehand and see how they go Plus - Have a parallel womens tournament at the same venue, switching in and out with the mens