NRL Power Play: Bold Bid to Seize Super League TV Rights and Launch Global Rugby League Revolution

The NRL is eyeing a bold expansion into the European rugby league scene, with ambitions to secure a 33% stake in the Super League—a move that could reshape the sport’s global broadcasting landscape. Central to this plan is the control of broadcast rights, which could be a game-changer for both competitions as their current deals expire at the end of 2027.

For the first time in recent memory, both the NRL and Super League find themselves negotiating new broadcast packages simultaneously. This timing presents a unique opportunity for the NRL to bundle both leagues’ rights into a single, global offering. Reports suggest the NRL is already planning talks with major streaming services such as Amazon Prime and DAZN, exploring the possibility of marketing both competitions together. If successful, this strategy could shift Super League’s long-standing relationship with Sky Sports and bring a new broadcast partner into the fold for the first time in decades.

Sky Sports has been the Super League’s primary broadcaster for years, but the league’s declining TV revenue has forced clubs to rely more heavily on private ownership and financial injections from benefactors. A global rights deal, orchestrated by the NRL, could inject much-needed capital into the Super League and help address years of stagnation in commercial growth.

The move would allow broadcasters to offer a more comprehensive rugby league package to fans across the globe, increasing exposure and potentially rejuvenating interest in the European competition. With the NRL already regarded as the sport’s premier competition, their influence and resources could prove vital in modernizing the Super League’s commercial and media strategy.

However, the deal is not yet finalized, and several details remain under discussion. Still, the potential for a transformative partnership is undeniable—one that could finally align the European and Australian competitions under a cohesive, global media strategy.