Rugby League Experts Debate Super League’s Decline Amid Rumors of NRL Takeover
The rugby league community is abuzz with discussions surrounding the potential acquisition of Super League by the NRL, a rumor that first surfaced back in March. Amidst these reports, one prominent pundit has claimed that the English competition has been on a steady decline for “20 to 30 years.”
During the Super League war of the 1990s, the two leagues vied for the best players, with English clubs able to lure some of the NRL’s top talents. The last notable signing was arguably Jamie Lyon, who joined St Helens in 2005 and cemented his status as one of Super League’s all-time greats.
However, the power balance has slowly shifted back to the NRL, which now boasts a 17-team competition with plans for further expansion. This is largely due to the league’s impressive $700 million turnover figures projected for 2023. The NRL’s salary cap of £6.7 million is more than three times higher than Super League’s £2.1 million, highlighting the significant challenge faced by the English competition in retaining and attracting talent.
“English Rugby League was still strong,” dating back to the early 1990s.
- Greg “Brandy” Alexander, NRL pundit
NRL pundit Greg “Brandy” Alexander echoed these sentiments, stating that Super League has been on the decline for the past 20 to 30 years. He reminisced about the glory days of the Kangaroo tours, when Australia played against English club teams on their home grounds.
The discussion around the NRL’s potential investment in Super League was further legitimized by journalist David Riccio, who initially broke the story. Riccio confirmed that this prospect is “legitimately on the NRL’s radar,” and that it is integral to the league’s plans for expansion into Las Vegas.
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