NRL's Super League deal back on track after missed deadline

The NRL’s plans to own a stake in the Super League are nearing closer to completion following a positive meeting between the competition and the Rugby Football League, according to UK-based journalist John Davidson.

In August, several outlets reported that the NRL had offered the RFL £57 million to own 50% of the 14-team competition after months of talks.

As the RFL mulled over the deal, they were given a deadline of October 15 to approve the offer, which has since passed.

But earlier in the week, Davidson reported that the deal was far from being over, with the possibility of it taking effect in the next season.

“What I've been told is that there's still a chance that things could happen for next year,” he told SEN’s Front Office with Vossy.

“That's not been completely signed off. I know reports in the Australian press have been that the deal is off for 2027.

“But the mail that I've had is that the meeting on Monday went very well with the RFL executives and PVL (Peter V’Landys) and the NRL strategy team.

“There's a few things still to be ironed out, but each side has sort of gone back to their respective stakeholders to speak to them, and there is still some hope that a deal could be done by the end of this week.

“Obviously considering how many deadlines we've had and been pushed back, I wouldn't be betting my life or your life or anyone else's on that.”

In recent days, Davidson has reported that the deal would likely come into effect from 2028 rather than 2027.

The 2027 Super League season is likely to begin in February, with fixtures to be confirmed at a later date.