Proposed Investment Deal Changes
The Rugby Football League (RFL) is currently engaged in discussions with Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) regarding significant alterations to a proposed funding agreement. These talks are centred on securing a £50m loan package, which would replace an earlier offer of £35m in guaranteed investment that was rejected by Super League clubs last week.
Details of an alternative strategy, dubbed ‘Project Magic’, have been developed by Rugby League Commercial. This document is set to be reviewed by the 14 Super League clubs at a meeting scheduled for Tuesday. It is understood that Nigel Wood, the RFL chief executive, circulated this document to the Super League owners last Wednesday, preceding their vote to decline the initial NRL proposal.
Discussions between the two rugby league competitions concerning Australian investment have been ongoing since meetings took place in Las Vegas in January. Peter V’Landys, the NRL chief executive, is expected to visit the UK next week with the aim of finalising a deal.
Details of ‘Project Magic’ and Club Reactions
The initial NRL offer involved an investment of £7m annually for five years, in exchange for a 10% stake in Super League. This money was intended for distribution among the clubs. However, the ‘Project Magic’ document outlines the RFL’s preference to seek a £50m payment-in-kind loan from the NRL instead of selling a stake in Super League. This loan would be used to fund “central growth initiatives and accelerate global expansion.”
A notable difference in this new proposal is that the £50m would be retained centrally by the RFL, rather than being distributed directly to the clubs. This aspect could present a challenge for some clubs. The ‘Project Magic’ document also details a 10-year plan for the sport’s growth, including ambitious goals such as expanding Super League to 18 or 20 clubs, launching a joint direct-to-consumer streaming platform with the NRL for international markets, and establishing a fully professional women’s competition.
The RFL’s investment plans for the £50m are also specified, with £13.5m allocated to enhance clubs’ commercial capabilities, £10m for player development pathways, and £5m for broadcasting services. While an RFL source indicated that the loan proposal is no longer their primary choice, it is considered significant enough for Tuesday’s club discussions.
Although Super League clubs largely agreed on rejecting the NRL’s initial offer, reaching a consensus on the path forward may prove more difficult. Several larger clubs, including Wigan, Warrington, and the champions Hull KR, are reportedly strong proponents of a partnership with the NRL. Conversely, smaller clubs like Wakefield are more cautious, expressing concerns about potentially being disadvantaged.
Neil Hudgell, owner of Hull KR, has stressed the importance of a partnership between Super League and the NRL, stating it “needs to happen for the game” and criticising “self interest” among clubs. He highlighted that many large clubs are experiencing annual losses that they manage but do not wish to continue indefinitely. Hudgell emphasized the need for an independent body to guide the game, suggesting that the current dynamics of clubs voting based on self-interest are detrimental.
Despite the RFL seemingly advocating for a nearly 50% increase in funding from the NRL, it remains uncertain whether Super League clubs will endorse this proposal. Many clubs reportedly prefer a smaller direct cash injection over a centrally managed loan. One source familiar with the discussions described ‘Project Magic’ as an attempt by Wood to maintain RFL control and influence should the NRL deal proceed.
NRL sources have characterised their stance as a “take it or leave it” proposition, making it uncertain if they would be willing to offer a £50m loan. Furthermore, the NRL is reportedly seeking significant governance reforms, including the establishment of an independent commission to oversee the sport in the UK, which would further diminish the RFL’s influence.
The current broadcasting deal for Super League with Sky Sports, which shows all seven games each round, is set to conclude at the end of 2026. Negotiations are underway for the next TV deal, with three options under consideration. One option involves Sky Sports showing three games live, with the remaining matches on the RFL’s own streaming platform, Super League+. Another option suggests three games on Sky Sports and the other four on Premier Sports. The third option, considered potentially riskier but with greater long-term prospects, would see three games on Sky Sports and the rest on Dazn, brokered through the NRL.
This decision is critical, especially after interim RFL chief executive Rhodri Jones promised an increase in the total value of rights, currently around £21.5m annually, and that every match would still be shown live under the new TV deal.
Broadcasting Options for Super League
The first broadcasting option, Super League+, would provide guaranteed funding from Sky Sports and allow the RFL, Super League, and Rugby League Commercial to control the presentation of the remaining four games on their platform. RFL sources claim this platform is already profitable and offers a global service. However, subscriber numbers have not been made public, and some fans have reported issues with reliability and technical performance. The app currently holds a 4.6 rating from 298 ratings on Apple’s UK App Store and a 4.4 rating from 198 reviews on Google Play.
The second option involves guaranteed revenue from both Sky Sports and Premier Sports. Premier Sports has previously held rugby league rights, particularly for the Championship. However, Premier Sports’ reach is considerably smaller, reporting 222,000 subscribers in 2022 compared to Sky’s presence in seven to eight million UK households. This option could also be expensive for fans, with Premier Sports costing £17.99 per month or £130 annually. The recent negative reaction to Premier Sports securing the 2026 Rugby League World Cup UK TV rights has also raised concerns.
The third option, involving Dazn, is believed to be less valuable monetarily in the short term, as Dazn is not currently paying for TV rights. While Dazn does not publish its UK subscriber figures, data from Sensor Tower indicates between 82,000 and 109,000 active Android users in the UK by the end of 2025, and around 219,000 for iOS. Globally, Dazn reported an audience of over 300 million regular viewers across more than 200 markets last year.
A deal with Dazn is seen as a long-term opportunity, potentially marking the formal collaboration between Super League and the NRL. While details are limited, UK subscribers to Dazn could gain access to four Super League games live, as well as all NRL content, programming, and matches currently provided by Fox League in Australia, which would mean the end of the Watch NRL app in the UK. Dazn could also promote rugby league globally and cross-promote Super League in the UK through its other sports properties, such as football, NFL, and boxing. Dazn has a news operation in Leeds that could produce content to enhance Super League’s coverage. If Super League and the NRL reach an agreement, it could lead to improved broadcasting values, promotion, marketing budgets, and the sharing of NRL expertise in the UK.
All three broadcasting options are expected to result in increased costs for fans to watch rugby league matches in the UK from next year, as Sky Sports will no longer show every game. A decision on the broadcasting deal is anticipated by the end of this month.
Source: theguardian.com