- NRL was considering launching the 2024 season in Hollywood
- American media executives believed that LA would be a hard sell
- Las Vegas was proposed, a five-year contract followed
- The double header starts at 1.30pm AEDT on Sunday
Footy supremo Peter V’Landys has confirmed the NRL could have launched the 2024 season in Hollywood instead of Las Vegas.
But after discussions with US broadcasters, V’Landys was told that Los Angeles would be a tough sell – and that he should consider a location other than the film capital of the world.
Enter Sin City, where Allegiant Stadium will play host to the double header with the Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs (1.30pm, Sunday AEDT), followed by the Broncos tackling the Roosters (3.30pm, Sunday AEDT).
“The truth is, our hearts were set on Los Angeles,” V’landys said News Corp.
‘The NRL has wanted to go to the US for some time. “We also looked at San Diego or San Jose as alternative locations.
Footy supremo Peter V’Landys (pictured right) has confirmed the NRL could have launched the 2024 season in Hollywood
US media executives felt Los Angeles was a hard sell, and suggested Las Vegas instead (pictured, Broncos star Payne Haas)
More than 40,000 tickets have already been sold ahead of the NRL double header at Allegiant Stadium (pictured, Roosters skipper James Tedesco)
Players and coaches from the four NRL clubs enjoy their time in Sin City (pictured, Broncos coach Kevin Walters on the red carpet)
On Friday, players from Sydney’s other 13 NRL clubs launched the season on local shores (Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo is pictured centre)
‘We (also) knew that if we were going to America, we had to do it right. “If we had gone to LA or Hollywood, to be honest, I don’t think we would have had any chance of success.”
V’Landys also stated that US media executives had suggested Vegas and it was a light bulb moment for the chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission.
With anticipation mounting, the NRL’s sporting roll of the dice in the gambling mecca appears to be a winner.
Just over 40,000 tickets have already been sold, with Allegiant Stadium – which recently hosted the Super Bowl – seating 65,000 fans.
Both football matches will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 in prime time on Saturday evening, with the potential for more than 100 million viewers in the US.
V’Landys is also willing to play the long game as the NRL has agreed a five-year deal to host matches in Las Vegas.
The footy supremo is confident that ‘once Americans understand the rules, they will embrace and enjoy the greatest game of them all.’
For Australian viewers, Sunday’s NRL double header will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo, with Channel Nine only televising the second match.