English view: Why support for NRL involvement in Super League is split

UK journalist John Davidson has spoken on the possibility of the NRL getting involved with the Super League.

Conversations have already taken place during the week between the two competitions as to whether it would be feasible for the Australian competition to purchase a stake in the English top-flight league.  

It comes at an interesting time for the Super League, who, despite its current financial issues, has decided to expand its competition to 14 teams for the 2026 season, which has been controversial in its own right.

“The addition of the two teams has been very controversial,” Davidson explained on SEN 1170’s Breakfast with Brandy and Vossy.

“These two new teams, which is Toulouse and York, will only get half of the central funding that the other clubs get.

“So already, they are going to start with one hand tied behind their back.

“And the issue is, obviously, the TV rights are up for negotiations in a year or so’s time and there isn’t any guarantee that the rights will go up.

“Super League is basically getting half of what is used to get in terms of TV money.

“So, the trend is downwards, and that’s a huge concern. Every Super League club lost money last year.”

But while many Super League officials are excited by the possibility of investment, Davidson admits that among the Rugby League fanbase in England, support for the NRL’s investment is split.  

“I think it is pretty split,” he explained.

“There’s huge support for the NRL, there are a lot of people in the UK who love the ARL, who see the excitement, who see the talent, who want to be involved in it. They went to Vegas, and they love the Vegas concept.

“But on the other side, there is a lot of traditionalists, there is a lot of people who think that ‘our club will miss out on Super League’.

“They’re worried about giving control to the Australians, so there is a lot of self-interest, and it is very parochial.”