Footy followers will discover out within the “next couple of weeks” whether or not or not the 2024 season will kick-off in Las Vegas, with NRL chief government Andrew Abdo assured the sport has learnt from earlier experiences, when potential video games in America have fallen via.
Abdo returned just a few days in the past from a visit to the States, the place he toured stadium services and met with key stakeholders, whereas Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys additionally hung out there not too long ago.
The plan is to begin the 2024 season with a double-header in Las Vegas in what can be one of many largest occasions the NRL has ever produced, however there are many issues to tick off earlier than the extravaganza is locked in.
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Clubs are reportedly eager to participate even when it means having to fly there and again, though they might be protected with a bye the next week to permit them to get well.
There’s additionally the problem of selecting a venue which might swimsuit the doable crowd, with the gorgeous Allegiant Stadium solely viable if at the least 40,000 spectators confirmed up, one thing which might be helped with a UFC card there on the identical weekend.
The dimensions of the bottom would even be a difficulty, with tiny in-goals rising the chance of potential damage if gamers slid into the concrete whereas attempting to floor the ball.
But the NRL has explored all of those potential hurdles and Abdo is assured a call will probably be made quickly.
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“It’s really positive so far, but there’s a lot of work to do,” he stated on the launch of the NRL’s Indigenous Round in La Perouse.
“We’re going to put everything into making it happen; we should know within the next couple of weeks if we can pull it off.
“We’re really excited to showcase what we think is the greatest game on Earth to a big market. There’s a lot of work that has to happen to make that a reality, but that’s what our job is.
“We think that there’s an opportunity for us to win fans in the west coast of America, which would be a huge opportunity for us because we think we have the best athletes, we think we have a great sport, and we want to showcase it to a larger audience.”
This isn’t the primary time rugby league followers have been teased a couple of doable sport in America, with Aussie stars like Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe used previously to attempt to spruik curiosity.
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Those plans didn’t work out, however Abdo says the NRL has discovered from these bids and is adamant there’s an even bigger urge for food now from all events to make it work.
Taking video games to a market like America might result in higher income, with the NRL eager to money in on new laws over there which have legalised playing in most states.
“We’ve obviously been learning as we’ve been going and understanding what it takes to make this happen. The more planning we can do, the more successful it will be,” he stated.
“I’m also confident because I think we genuinely have all the stakeholders really excited for the proposition we’ve put forward.
“There’s much excitement happening in America at the moment, and certainly all the talk with our potential partners has been positive.
“Interestingly enough, everyone here is really excited – the players, the clubs and all the stakeholders like broadcast partners.
“I feel like there’s a lot of momentum, but we have to make sure we do it properly. That’s what we’re going to work through over the coming weeks.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au