V’landys pursues $200m US deal

The ARL Commission is in talks on a five-year broadcast deal to screen NRL matches live on American prime time television in a $200m coup ahead of the historic doubleheader in Las Vegas.

It comes as Fox Corp, Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN and Warner Bros Discovery Inc announced yesterday they are teaming up to create a joint sports streaming service – with rugby league a possibility to hit those screens.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has revealed one of the biggest broadcast projects in the code’s history as the Broncos, Roosters, Manly and Souths prepare to make history by heading up live sporting coverage on American television.

In a landmark moment, the NRL is going prime time in the US, with a live feed of the Broncos-Roosters and ManlySouths fixtures on March 3 (AEST) to be delivered to the American public via Fox Sports 1.

Now V’landys is upping the ante, outlining a strategic plan for NRL double headers to be screened live in America until the end of 2028, in line with the code’s five-year deal to play premiership games in Las Vegas.

It is a key plank in a broadcasting masterplan that would see select premiership matches shown live in the US every week during the NRL season.

V’landys believes the NRL’s ambitious incursion into the US market can be worth north of $200m in broadcast-andgaming revenue – and potentially more if rugby league secures regular prime time slots on American TV.

“The double header being shown live is a huge coup for rugby league and it’s important we stay on prime time TV in America,” V’landys said.

“These two games will be shown live on American TV. This is a first for rugby league _ but I would like for it to happen for the entire five-year deal.

“I’m confident we will have the NRL live on American TV for the next five years.

“We can’t just be there for one week.”