Winter is coming … back? Super League could revamp schedule as part of NRL takeover

Super League could move back to a winter competition to allow year-round global broadcasting of rugby league if the NRL agrees a deal to take control of the British game.

Andrew Abdo, the CEO of the NRL, told the Guardian the Australian governing body would consider the calendar switch as a key part of a potential multimillion-pound takeover and investment package that would also include a strong focus on a London-based club and major governance reform.

Talks between the NRL and Super League about a deal have ramped up further this week, with Abdo flying to England to speak about how feasible a deal may be. Any successful investment would be significant for Super League, who would essentially cede administrative control to the NRL in return.

Abdo said London Broncos would be central to the NRL’s vision and insisted no deal is possible without the clubs currently giving up the power they have in the British game. The NRL is run by an independent commission but in Super League club owners have almost all the power.

With the prospect of a global broadcast deal for both competitions also a possibility if the NRL had administrative control, Abdo has opened a discussion about Super League possibly switching back to a winter season for the first time since 1996 in order to allow the NRL to sell rights all year round.

When asked if it was an option, Abdo told the Guardian: “It’s a really good question. These are the things that need to be worked out. And the thing is there are clear pros and cons for it in both cases. Obviously playing in the summer here like Super League does, you’re not clashing with the hugely popular Premier League.

“But equally, creating a global calendar is pretty compelling. So as I say, there are pros and cons. That’s not something we really have a fixed view on yet though. Those are the things that need to be worked out. But ultimately the answer will be: what is going to be what our customers want and what’s going to service our existing fans and help us win new ones.”

No formal offer has been submitted yet, with Abdo and the NRL likely to return next month to speak with clubs in more detail. However, he has warned those clubs must relinquish control in order to convince the NRL to part with their riches and to allow the sport to flourish under the leadership of a newly-formed independent commission that the NRL would have a major say in.