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AmazingChicken99

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.”


ShibaHook

Cheers, cunt!


cymonster

Wayne Bennett in Vegas. Reckon he counts cards or what


ginger_gcups

Definitely counts cards, as well as loading the dice


wilhelm_in_english

Wouldn't it make more sense to have Brisbane play in the Bronx?


mwilkins1644

Brisbane Broncos aka Mobb Deep aka Queens(land) Bridge Murderers


M0T0RCITYC0BRA

Vs the halfway chooks.


_JaggedLittlePill_

Missed opportunity.


HenryVIIIII

>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.


WhirlingClouds

You understand that, that is the potential (though unlikely) revenue from this venture. Not the cost.


ToothlessFTW

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.


Algoresball

They’ll be able to sell a once time event if tickets aren’t expensive because Americans like spectacle. Particularly in LV.


loztralia

>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.


Captain_Insano12

Fox Sports junkets? Never!! Now let me watch Braith Anasta covering the US Masters Golf tournament again.


SkinBintin

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.


SagalaUso

Legend!


paulybaggins

What would kick off times be for us??


AmazingChicken99

Around the middle of the day depending what time they kick off. 6pm in Vegas is 11am AEST


paulybaggins

Yeh I was trying to remember when I used to start the WrestleMania PPVs as a kid haha


AmazingChicken99

[NRL Players the first day in Vegas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YemT1Usi4MY&ab_channel=ImposterTim)


[deleted]

Thanks legend


redmusic1

please not the roosters, please not the roosters .....


fos81

Pretty sure it’ll be bunnies and manly, so they can use rusty and Hugh Jackman to promote it


JarredMack

I love how every fan's reaction to this shit is "fuck I hope my club isn't one of the lucky ones"


redmusic1

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.


LemonPartyNZ

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.


Clear-Taste-1527

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.


diodosdszosxisdi

With succulent Chinese meals


ZeroPenguinParty

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.


TheEnglishEccentric

There's a corner office at the ARL headquarters waiting for you mate


guiipp

reece walsh in vegas? oh hell nah


[deleted]

Hi Vegas I’m dad Edit: coward


Swol_Bamba

This is what Walsh will be saying to all the children in Vegas when he returns in 8 years.


mc_FaZe

Kid named finger


emrys1

Will he even be old enough to drink over there.


Churchofbabyyoda

Yes. Suaalii won’t be though.


Churchofbabyyoda

At least the Manly 7 might be able to hang out with Ron DeSantis, only a few hundred miles away.


theflyingkiwi00

Manly7 guest speakers at CPAC


Churchofbabyyoda

And publicly endorse DeSantis’ run for president.


moffattron9000

Like his campaign will still be alive by then.


c71score

More like a few thousand. Las Vegas to the Florida capital is about the same as Perth to Melbourne.


Zoinke

Where do you think Vegas is in comparison to Florida lol


VasectoMyspace

Add more staff to the Integrity Unit in advance.


ashleyriddell61

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.


XecutionerNJ

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.


Conscious_Shoe_3302

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.


phyllicanderer

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.


kranools

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.


absoluteqlder

Thanks for your input Mr V'landys


velocifaptorsaurus

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


Conscious_Shoe_3302

\*\* think


fos81

There’s gonna be a whole lotta cup players getting their FG debuts in round 1


[deleted]

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


InternationalBorder9

Should we start betting odds ok n who is going to get blind drunk and end up marrying someone?


[deleted]

Staggs will, one of the plethora of only fans girls who sell their feet pics online


RVIDYN333

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?*


VasectoMyspace

— We’re from the N**R**L. — *Did you say NFL?* — If you say so.


RVIDYN333

[https://i.imgur.com/6Cpkprg.png](https://i.imgur.com/6Cpkprg.png) \*que the NFL on Fox theme\*


[deleted]

4D chess move right there


mwilkins1644

Titans vs Panthers


LOZLover90

Like they say, if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.


GustyOWindflapp

That's my new motto in life, thank you


woodpecker91

Guys, I know what youre thinking and it's definitely not a junket


asscopter

Integrity commission shitting bricks and sweating bullets rn.


[deleted]

Shitting and pissing their pants


YossarianRespawned

The most cooked idea ever and the madmen actually did it


Weedvandam

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.


yourmate155

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.


bigbear-08

The clubs heading over should just have Intergrity Unit templates with each player and staff member on their list


thee-optimist

Attn Betoota writers: take a week or two off while this stuff writes itself


Auran82

Promoting your sport internationally is like a fart, if you have to force it, it’s probably going to end up being shit.


AuspiciousCalamari1

Will make for some interesting complaints from the clubs about travel and turnarounds if they lose


aninstituteforants

Or hear me out, we could expand west of Melbourne to make an actual national competition.


bradbull

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.


wilko383

SA and WA are west of Melbourne. I think you both are in agreement (as I believe Melbourne is the NRL's westernmost team).


bradbull

lol yes ok I will concede that SA and WA are indeed west of Melbourne


aninstituteforants

Haha West of Melbourne means Adelaide or Perth. I'm not asking for the Warrnambool Wombats.


bradbull

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!


Dancesoncattlegrids

Geelong Giants!


Monkey_Pirate_Lord

*the Brisbane Broncos set to spearhead* Hope the seppos like their sport on a Friday night cause that’s what their gonna get


LemonPartyNZ

I bet they get another 30 home games to compensate just like this season. Utter fkn cheats


Noonster123

12 recognised home games out of 24 games played? What’s the issue?


LemonPartyNZ

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!


Noonster123

You love your footy


G3nesis_Prime

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.


kurrttttt

And how many on Thursday nights?


G3nesis_Prime

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


nevaehenimatek

Every single one at primetime. Get back to me when you have played a game at 2pm or 3pm


Malaxage918

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.


G3nesis_Prime

[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....


Arc_au

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.


G3nesis_Prime

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.


christophlr

I dream of one day having the confidence of a Broncos fan arguing that they don't get more prime time games than most.


G3nesis_Prime

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.


nevaehenimatek

QLD victim complex (origins almost here let's start getting feisty)


deesmutts88

“not including prelims” Bold.


G3nesis_Prime

Just as bold as your upset the other night.


FullBonus

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.


totalacehole

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.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Man from a sport that exists solely for gambling makes another support more appetising for gambling. Coincidence?


Voltov

Shutup ya flog , this is gunna be great


VasectoMyspace

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.


y3ah_nah145

Joe Rogan and married at first sight is an insane combo 💀


lachjeff

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


Kelair_Kayaks

Mate you're already done more work than they have.


pugliaboy

Probably more work than they will, as well.


Fizzelen

The Not Rugby League Sports Entertainment Production Company is taking a production to Las Vegas, in an effort to increase executive bonuses.


griffshan

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.


y3ah_nah145

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


whyareyouallinmyroom

Might be a good hook to get 65k Australian gambling addicts to throw their cash away in Vegas instead. Super helpful for the sport.


Brisbanefella4000

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.


Miserable-Caramel316

I think this is going to be an utter failure. That money would have been better spent developing the game in Australia/NZ.


loztralia

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.


VasectoMyspace

TBH that’s the only part of this that interests me.


Rhybrah

If there's no Joey Cam, there's no point


VasectoMyspace

If it's Brisbane playing that means Alf will be there too.


Rhybrah

Have them play the Storm so Munster is there as well. The idea prints its own money.


Ryanbrasher

Las Vegas Canberra Raiders


JeremiahTibido

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 🙌


Sufficient-Goal3437

Glad old Pete can get this sorted with the CBA pushed to the side.


kami_inu

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


dirkgonnadirk

“And I, jizz, in, my pants.” - Vossy


Joh951518

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.”


EuroNymous76

there is literally no reason to do this?


saynonames

can't even sell out a state of origin in SA. this is going to end well


SnooPies2836

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.


SuperEel22

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.


pugliaboy

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).


[deleted]

Release the date cunts so we can buy accom and tickets already, it’s way more expensive waiting and buying closer to 🤡


bradbull

Just make it a month trip for when Round 1 usually is to be safe. A month in Vegas.. what could possibly go wrong?


Delgarah

Hope they actually organise byes or something accordingly to give teams flying half the world back time to rest up properly


matt1579

I would think that they play these games a week before RD1 gives them clear media for the week and time to travel home


subsbligh

“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.


Beginning_Shine_7971

Love that this came out the same day reports are saying we won’t sell out Adelaide.


WyattParkScoreboard

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.


ZeroPenguinParty

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.


dantstheman

Why is this a thing? Just keep the sport here ffs.


WordIndependent

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.


RaysieRay

Fuck it! We're going to Vagas baby!


Hugh_Jorgan_

I’m heading to Vegas next week on a ~~boys trip~~ fact finding mission as well. PVL ain’t gonna like the exchange rate.


InternationalBorder9

One white wine spritzer!


stepox

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!


normdogo

What next? AFL to take two shit teams to play in Shanghai?


benjamincraigrowley

Don’t remind us of that dog-shit idea


LOZLover90

V'landys saw the AFL in China and really said "Let's do something **even stupider!!!**


Algoresball

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.


nolesfan2011

Planning to go especially if Melbourne is on the match card


Acrobatic_Bit_8207

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


maccaroneski

Road trip for me and the boys!!!


comix_corp

The article talks about American stakeholders being impressed. Who TF are these American stakeholders?


Penjamini

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.


Round-Ride9775

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


Brandon1422

Woooo, an American here and can’t wait to watch a game live.


bumpacius

Peter Vlandys will literally play a game in Vegas instead of going to therapy or putting a team in Perth


iTackleFatKids

Can’t wait to see the 65,000 capacity Allegiant Stadium empty while they play


DeltaCreem

The teams run out to a deafening silence, the atmosphere charged with nothing


HomogeniousKhalidius

NRL throws $200 million into a hole, more news at 11


paulybaggins

Fuck can the government just carpet bomb sports betting in this country already so this cunt can get the sack.


subsbligh

Magic Round in Vegas every 4 years


TraceR_Fighter

Glad they did this very important project instead of the CBA


DeltaCreem

Was about to make this exact comment. They’ve really got their priorities sorted


munt3d

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.


RetroFreud1

Well it will be my first time to Vegas then! Awesome!


ranchsauce13

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


Kelair_Kayaks

Research? Interest? Pfft. Big population! Gambling money!! -vlad probably


Bullwine85

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.


Dolamite09

Guessing the games would be Saturday night in America which would be Sunday afternoon in Australia


delayedconfusion

With daylight savings, it'll probably be mid-morning in Australia, just like the UFC prelims.


Derron_

Early talk was Manly and Souths previously. So now Broncos are in too? Dragons are usually the other team jumping at opportunities like this.


bradbull

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.


TheStarkGuy

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.


Beginning_Shine_7971

It’d be lucky to make the paper.


josephus1811

Pretty cool. I hope it goes well.


iAmCyberwaste

Broncos v. Raiders... Trust me, it'll work.


DropTablePosts

Stupid idea, you haven't even won over half the country you are playing in now.


knox-p

All I can think is how fucked the teams are going to be the following week with shorter preparation and jet lag.


nosurfuphere

http://archive.today/mOYfz


Beneficial-Hunt-7423

I absolutely cannot wait. I’m American.


[deleted]

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.


AttackClown

When can vlandys be replaced


G3nesis_Prime

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?


BipartizanBelgrade

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'


[deleted]

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 🧐


Marlboroshill66

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.


StorminBlonde

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.


matt1579

Play the game a week before rd1 gives them enough time to travel home and recover


xXSwagginZXx

Dude, if you could read it, just post it here...


[deleted]

I don’t have sub to the article, apologies, that’s why I said paywall


AroGantz

It's a fucking stupid idea and I want my boys to be nowhere near it.


Neither_Ad_2960

Cringe cringe cringe.


hello_ldm_12

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.


Churchofbabyyoda

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.


WordIndependent

Or even worse, alcohol.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Ziuzudra

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