'They certainly want us back': Peter V'landys' mind-blowing $100 million Vegas reveal as new deal looms
Australian Rugby League Commission boss Peter V'landys has revealed that a deal is looming to ensure the long-term future of the NRL's festival of rugby league in Las Vegas.
The league currently has a five-year agreement to service the growth of the game in the American market, with the multi-game event and accompanying fan festival contracted until 2028.
But after the success of the venture in only its second year, there have been calls for the NRL to further expand the event.
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Asked if the city of Las Vegas wants the NRL to take rugby league to America for 10 more years, V'landys confirmed that partners are keen, outlining the enormous financial impact the venture had made.
Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission Peter V'landys. Mark Kolbe via Getty Images
"That is true," he told Nine's broadcast on Sunday (Australian time).
"[The tourist boss] said they had a $100 million economic stimulus here in Vegas with the NRL being here.
"When we came here last year, they thought we were delusion that we would bring this many people here.
"[This year] we brought nearly 17,000 Australians, 8000 from New Zealand and 10,000 from England.
"It's a lot of people in the Vegas community, so they certainly want us back."
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Clark County Commissioner chairman Tick Segerblom presents NRL boss Andrew Abdo and chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission Peter V'landys with a ceremonial key to the Las Vegas Strip during the NRL Las Vegas media launch. Ethan Miller via Getty Images
Having added a Super League game and a women's Test match to the schedule, V'landys said he would be knocking on the door for a bigger sponsorship next year.
"I think our fee will be a lot bigger now, and they'll probably have to give us a kidney," he said.
With the huge demand for the bucket list trip, V'landys said the league was working on more ways to improve the Vegas experience as the years roll on.
"I've learnt more this year than I did last year," he said.
"Last year was a bit of a haze. This year, I've sat back and watched everything we've done, and I think we can do so much better.
"We're making enormous progress but we've had some very big guns in America, experts in sports management, that have come to us and given us more confidence with how we can break into the American market.
"So, I'm very confident that by year five, we'll have a major impact here in America. I'm more confident now than I was last year."
Taking in the spectacle at Allegiant Stadium, V'landys was proud of what the league had achieved for a second straight year.
"I'm very proud of the team and the players and everyone that has put this together. I'm only the captain," he said.
"This is a massive event.
"I've been told that all the pubs and clubs back in Australia are full celebrating the opening of the NRL season. This is what it's all about."
