A decision will be reached before the end of the month
Hull KR CEO Paul Lakin(Image: SW Pix)
Striking a partnership deal with the NRL could be the biggest game changer since the formation of Super League.
That’s the belief of Hull KR CEO and RL Commercial board member Paul Lakin, who claims an announcement on a clear decision one way or the other is now imminent.
A partnership deal between the two parties, which would see the NRL invest just over £30 million into Northern Hemisphere rugby league is known to be close with London Broncos being described as a sticking point by Peter V’landys when speaking to the Australian press this week.
The NRL are keen to see the Broncos promoted to the top flight for next season despite the club being ranked 16th in the IMG gradings on Thursday morning. That would increase the size of the Super League to 15 teams and a full agreement on how that would work has not been reached as of yet.
However, it is close and Lakin anticipates an end to what has been a long-running saga in the coming days and weeks.
“I would expect definitely a clear decision by the end of this month without any doubt whatsoever,” he said, providing an update on talks. “Imminent, I would say.
“It’s not done. There’s a couple of key issues to be resolved but bearing in mind the fixtures come out next month, they need resolving this month.”
Asked for his thoughts on London being welcomed into Super League and whether they bring enough to the competition at this stage, he added: “They do if the financial terms are right and the scheduling is right because it brings in to play bye weeks, which we are very much in favour of because of our experiences in the last few years not having bye weeks and I do think you really have to think about the playing side and the welfare.
“I’m a big believer in that and the schedule has to look as fair as possible on that basis with bye weeks and the financial implications of the obvious, 15 teams rather than 14, how does that stack up? I think they’re issues that need to be resolved.
“Magic comes into the word schedule really. I don’t think we should lose Magic and I don’t think that’s the intention.
“For me, if London are in, I think the natural thing for Magic is that it’s London’s bye week in year one. That seems the most logical thing for me, especially if it’s going to be rivals round again. That’s the sort of thing that needs to be finalised.”
There have been suggestions of further investment interest in the game and given the NRL deal would be a partnership, Super League would be able and willing to do business with other parties, too.
“The door remains open because ultimately the NRL deal, which I think will be the biggest thing to happen to the sport since the introduction of Super League, is a partnership,” Lakin added.
“Nothing is off the table.”