- NRL seriously considering very expensive purchase
- AChairman of the RL committee Peter V’landys sees the advantage
- Comes as the league considers expansion into Papua New Guinea
The NRL is set to purchase a multi-million dollar private jet so football stars can fly around the country Taylor Swift-style.
ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys and NRL management – led by CEO Andrew Abdo – have approved a feasibility study into the possibility of adding a jet aircraft to their assets.
NRL clubs outside Sydney, notably the North Queensland Cowboys, Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors, have reportedly backed the bold proposal.
Earlier this week, the NRL had to charter a flight for the Cowboys, who initially failed to get their players and staff on a flight to Sydney for their elimination final against the Sharks on Friday night at Allianz Stadium.
According to the Sydney Morning HeraldThe Cowboys will split the cost of the flight with the NRL.
Ironically, the two direct flights from Townsville to Sydney this week were already fully booked as Cowboys fans pushed hard to attend the game.
And ahead of last week’s knockout final defeat, the Newcastle Knights secured a private flight after a close turnaround in their round 27 home game against the Dolphins.
V’Landys said the NRL potentially adding its own aircraft to its assets was a “good” decision. suggestion’ that has ‘enormous benefits’.
The NRL is set to purchase a multi-million dollar private jet, a move normally associated with business magnates and global superstars such as Taylor Swift (pictured)
ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys (pictured) and NRL management – led by CEO Andrew Abdo – appear keen to make the move happen
Last month, Warriors boss Cameron George (pictured left with Shaun Johnson) urged the NRL to invest heavily in a private jet
“You can set up promotions where you take fans to different locations, and particularly if we expand to Perth, Papua New Guinea, the South Island of New Zealand or wherever, that becomes a more realistic option,” he said.
‘If it’s just a little bit more money than what we’re paying now, it doesn’t matter because of the comfort and convenience the players would get for their well-being. [which] outweigh the additional costs.
“The cost-benefit analysis can go up because of the revenue you generate when you’re not using the system.”
Melbourne Storm chief executive Frank Ponissi said his club would receive the plan “very positively”, citing improved athlete preparation and travel arrangements.
Last month, Cowboys chief executive Jeff Reibel and Warriors boss Cameron George both urged the NRL to purchase a $15 million private jet.
“In theory it’s a sensible analysis for the NRL,” George said.
“The advantage of charters for teams like us, the Cowboys and a team from Perth is that you don’t have to stay extra.”
And with a team from Papua New Guinea set to join the competition from 2028, following a $600 million pledge from the federal government, the private jet concept is even more interesting.