Eamonn McManus believes a potential Betfred Super League-NRL tie-up is a winner for both parties and would welcome talks over a potential partnership.
The St Helens chairman, along with Leeds Rhinos CEO Gary Hetherington and Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont, is one of the prime movers in the club-led coup which saw RFL chair Simon Johnson resign and former governing body chief executive Nigel Wood return in his place on an interim basis.
The 68-year-old revealed he is fully behind any talks which could bring Australia’s competition and Super League closer together, seeing it as imperative for the growth of rugby league globally.
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“I’m absolutely open to dialogue,” McManus told The Bench podcast.
“If you’re going to look for the commencement of a global game rather than pockets of domestic rugby league, one of which is very powerful and successful and one of which is not, then to combine the two – the structure of it open to debate – most definitely the potential of a win-win for the NRL and Super League to collaborate.
“Whether it’s financially, a partnership or the likes, but we must be open to speak to very successful people over there who are the trailblazers in our sport at the moment.”
The primary motivation behind Super League seeking a partnership with the NRL is the parlous financial state of the UK domestic game’s clubs, with McManus stating those in the top division are losing at least £2million per year each.
The NRL, meanwhile, is exploring a new broadcast deal for 2028-2032 which could be worth up to an estimated £1.46billion at current exchange rates.
Super League’s present broadcast deal with Sky Sports, which runs until the end of the 2026 season, is worth £21.5million per year.
McManus claimed RFL intransigence towards the financial issues facing the game played a big part in the clubs pushing for Wood to return and lead a club-led review of all levels of rugby league.
This was despite McManus saying in 2018, several months after Wood’s previous reign at the governing body had come to an end albeit without specifically naming him: “No one can credibly say that Super League and the game of rugby league in this country has in any way strengthened or improved over the last decade; quite the contrary I’m afraid.”
Wood’s return has reportedly caused consternation in Australia as well, with Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson telling Rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads the NRL would not deal with the RFL while he was at the helm.
Nevertheless, McManus is now adamant Wood is the only person who can take rugby league in the UK forwards.
“The reality is there could not be a better qualified person,” McManus said.
“If there is, name him or her and please can they step forward, because they’d be welcomed with open arms.
“The NRL thing may or may not happen. What we have to do is strengthen our sport.”
