Club owner sparks Super League war after V’landys reveals ‘ransom’ demand
Super League clubs appear to be at war over Peter V’landys′ push to purchase the England-based rugby league competition.
Five clubs have put out statements in the days since V’landys put a deadline on negotiations.
NRL boss Peter V’landys. Getty Images
The NRL’s new executive chairman says an agreement must be made by Thursday, or he is threatening to walk away from the table.
V’landys wants to inject $57 million into the Super League and effectively take control of the league in his push to make the NRL a global business.
But before he commits to the venture, he is demanding the London Broncos be elevated to the Super League with immediate effect.
The Broncos compete in the RFL Championship and were last year purchased by NRL legend Darren Lockyer, along with his business partner.
“We want the Broncos in (the Super League) because there are 750,000 Australians at any one time in London – a ready-made audience – and they know the Brisbane Broncos,” V’landys told Code Sports over the weekend.
“All our business models and our analysis require London Broncos to be part of it. We take a bigger risk if they’re not in the Super League.”
Super League clubs met last Friday to discuss the proposal again, but could not come to an agreement on the demands of V’landys.
Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont then took to social media to launch a lengthy rant at V’landys.
“Giving a deadline on something you want that the other side cannot commit to is a gun to the head approach akin to a ransom,” Beaumont posted on X.
“I will not vote to add London to SL (Super League) without due process and most certainly not because someone insists upon it without substance and hadn’t previously done so.
“Let’s pause here and remember that this person (V’Landys) as chairman of who would control SL under the deal has in a short space of time significantly changed the goal posts from what he said to what then became the offer.
London Broncos players celebrate a try. Getty
“If I am to vote to give control of our game it must be with unequivocal trust and unfortunately that is not possible.
“The craziest part is we are being asked to support this with no business plan or presentation... Unfortunately, many will vote in favour because they see the sugar shot of a short-term increase in funding that in reality is the most expensive loan with the worst conditions attached that the sport could ever obtain!”
The Leigh owner also cast doubt on V’landys’ claim of 750,000 Aussies living in the English capital, saying he believed the figure to be closer to 75,000.
According to a UK census quoted by the SBS in 2024, about 84,000 Australians were living in London.
In the wake of Beaumont’s rant – which nine.com.au has only published about one third of – rival clubs Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, Hull KR and Hull FC all released statements reiterating their support for the NRL takeover.
V’landys was reportedly keen to get a deal finalised before Australia and New Zealand kick off the Rugby League World Cup in Sydney on Thursday night.
