Wigan Warriors’ Quest to Bring Super League to the Bright Lights of Las Vegas
Kris Radlinski, the Wigan Warriors’ executive director, was captivated by the historic first NRL double-header in Las Vegas. Inspired by the event’s grandeur and potential, Radlinski seized the opportunity to spearhead Super League’s foray into the iconic American city.
In a chance email to Peter V’landys, the NRL’s chairman, Radlinski expressed Wigan’s ambition to be part of the 2025 Las Vegas showcase. To Radlinski’s delight, V’landys responded swiftly, indicating Australia’s interest in inviting Super League to join the festivities.
The road to securing this landmark deal was paved with meticulous planning and negotiations. “We didn’t sign the deal until six days ago,” Radlinski reveals, underscoring the complexities involved – from television arrangements to match logistics.
Radlinski’s decision to partner with Warrington Wolves was a strategic one, rooted in his strong working relationship with Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick and his belief in the “Sam Burgess effect” drawing interest.
“I’d rather be busy doing this. We’ve got a wonderful opportunity to redraw the limits of what we think is possible.” – Kris Radlinski
While Wigan will forfeit a home game, potentially upsetting some fans, Radlinski is confident the club can offset the financial risks through revenue-sharing agreements and innovative commercial strategies.
The global exposure and production value promised by this event are equally enticing. Radlinski promises “insight like you’ve never seen before,” with a 22-camera setup compared to the usual 12 for a typical Sky Sports broadcast.
With the NRL committed to a five-year Las Vegas fixture, the potential for Super League’s permanent inclusion is an exciting prospect. Radlinski encourages other clubs to “feel the desire to go out and do something pretty wacky and pretty different,” recognizing the significance of this moment for the growth of rugby league.
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