Wednesday 22 April 2026 3:00 pm | Updated: Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:51 pm Exclusive: Sticking points remain in NRL discussions with Super League By: Matt Hardy Deputy Sports Editor - City AM Share Facebook Share on Facebook X Share on Twitter LinkedIn Share on LinkedIn WhatsApp Share on WhatsApp Email Share on Email Add as a preferred source on Google Sticking points remain in negotiations between the NRL and Super League Sticking points remain between the NRL and Super League as negotiations surrounding a potential investment into English rugby league continue, City AM understands. The world’s two major domestic rugby league competitions could be forged together through investment from the Australian NRL into the English Super League. But sources with knowledge of the discussions said that while there appears to be a “strong appetite” both here and Down Under, “details need to be worked through” before any potential deal is finalised. The proposed deal would see the NRL take a stake in the English league and look to demand an independent commissary body run the game in the northern hemisphere, which next year could include a London Broncos team owned by Australian rugby league legend Darren Lockyer and his consortium. It comes as the managing director of RL Commercial Rhodri Jones was this week appointed the interim chief executive of the Rugby Football League, the sport’s governing body, as the hunt for a permanent individual remains ongoing. News Updates Stay ahead with our three daily briefings delivering all the key market moves, top business and political stories, and incisive analysis straight to your inbox. NRL and Super League negotiations ongoing Jones said: “It’s a privilege to step into this role at such an important moment for the sport. The 2026 season has started strongly and that momentum must continue. “I’m focused on providing stability, supporting our stakeholders and teams, and ensuring we continue to deliver for our fans, partners and wider community, whilst the search process for the new permanent CEO of the RFL concludes.” The Broncos, who are top of the second-tier Betfred Championship and favourites to be promoted to the Super League, have backed the proposed investment into the Super League. “We definitely back the idea of the investment,” co-owner Grant Wechsel told City AM this month, “as long as the financial improvement is there for the clubs. “How it actually gets done, I have no idea, and I’m not going to tell the RFL or the NRL how I think they should do it, but money coming into the game and support from the biggest rugby league competition in the world makes sense if it can help grow the game in the UK.” Read more Exclusive: Rugby League monitoring Henry Pollock amid £1m Hearn wage demands Share this article Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Similarly tagged content: Sections Sport News Categories Sport Business Business Rugby League Rugby Sport People & Organisations Investment NRL RFL RL Commercial Rugby Rugby League Super League Related Topics Rugby League Trending Articles Pensioners to hand over bank statements in government benefits crackdown Jaguar reveals the Type 01’s screen-free interior Jamie Carragher: HMRC petitions for Sky Sports star to be declared bankrupt City firms mandate phone and face-to-face comms bootcamps for Gen Z lawyers Jamie Vardy bags Bundesliga rights as he steps up streaming war with Neville and Lineker More from City AM Exclusive: Rugby League monitoring Henry Pollock amid £1m Hearn wage demands Sport Business Prem Rugby team ditch Big Game fixture at Premier League ground Sport Business London being lined up to host re-run of GAA final between Mayo and Kerry Sport Business Is £5bn now the entry ticket into Premier League football? Sport Business Ticket price hikes proof Wales Rugby Union is tone deaf to loyal fan concerns Sport Business South Africa sport minister on Olympics bid, Formula 1, Springboks and LIV Golf Sport Business BBC to broadcast Alexis Ohanian co-founded all-female athletics series Athlos Sport Business English Football League ‘concerned and disappointed’ at PFA legal challenge Sport Business Subscribe Subscribe to the City AM newsletter to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe By signing up to our newsletters you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .
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