It wasn’t just the football field that Australians invaded during the historic NRL season launch in Las Vegas on Sunday, with a roster of stars letting their hair down afterwards at a concert hosted by superstar rapper Ludacris.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs, Manly Sea Eagles, Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters kicked off the 2024 NRL season in Las Vegas for the first time, with a huge crowd packing Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the double-header.
Afterwards, a host of NRL players, including Manly’s Jason Saab, Damien Cook and Haumole Olakau’atu, flocked to Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas to watch Ludacris’ concert.
Former Roosters, Bulldogs and Wests Tigers halfback Braith Anasta was also spotted in the VIP area of ​​the nightclub after completing his commentary duties with Fox Sports, snuggled up to his girlfriend Evie Tziomakis.
NRL 360 presenter and former representative football player Braith Anasta was seen at the Ludacris concert with his girlfriend Evie Tziomakis.
Manly Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab (pictured left) went to the concert and met superstar rapper and Fast and Furious star Ludacris.
Several NRL players, including Souths hooker Damien Cook, posted a view (pictured) from their front row seats at the Ludacris concert.
The couple were spotted enjoying time together at Coogee Beach in Sydney in December after previously being spotted enjoying a romantic night out at the Coogee Pavilion.
Other players on the Ludacris show included Taniela Paseka, Aaron Woods, Jai Arrow and Cody Walker, as well as brothers Jake, Ben and Tom Trbojevic.
The Roosters stars attended a Chainsmokers concert at the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel.
Ludacris rose to fame as a rapper, actor and entrepreneur, known for his dynamic and witty lyricism.
With multiple Grammy Awards under his belt, he became a prominent figure in the hip-hop industry, releasing hit albums such as ‘Word of Mouf’ and ‘Chicken-n-Beer.’
Beyond music, Ludacris found success in Hollywood with roles in blockbuster films such as the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise, solidifying his status as a multi-faceted artist.
Cooper Johns, son of NRL legend and television personality Matty Johns, was also seen in the crowd.
Ludacris also performed during this year’s Super Bowl halftime show alongside Usher, Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri and will.i.am.
Cooper Johns and his girlfriend Kenna Hullick had an awkward moment with an escort in a limo in Las Vegas
It comes after he recently left rugby league to pursue a career in radio at KIIS 1065 Sydney with Kyle and Jackie O.
It also comes just days after the former Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles star was almost “caught” by a Las Vegas escort in a limousine.
“I got in a limo with my girlfriend (Kenna Hullick) and this woman was there, she said she knew the driver,” he said.
“I was pretty drunk after a big night in the (play) zone, so I didn’t pay too much attention to it.
‘He asked us if he could come to our hotel, but Kenna said no.
“I later found out that this is a common scam, where the escort enters the hotel room and then calls her pimp, who comes and demands money to extort her.”
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas experiment has been hailed as a huge success, with more than 40,000 people turning out to watch the double at Allegiant Stadium along with millions more at home in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
More than 40,000 soccer fans, including a good number of new American fans, turned out to watch the doubleheader in Las Vegas.
Football supreme Peter V’Landys has confirmed the NRL will return to Las Vegas for another four years and has agreed a television deal with Fox Sports in the United States.
That will be just the tip of the iceberg, ARLC president Peter V’landys said, with the new television rights deal with Fox Sports in the United States and playing opportunities reaping millions from the NRL.
“We’ve started with these two games, if they are successful before an audience of over 100 million people, hopefully Fox will say let’s put one on every week,” he said.
‘And then we have to sell our Watch NRL subscription, which is one of the best products you’ve ever seen. If you want to watch every game, every panel, it’s all on Watch NRL. And that’s where the money will come from.
‘There is also the opportunity for sports betting. The Super Bowl alone raised more than $23 billion, so there’s a market for sports betting here, too. And it’s about raising revenue for the game so we can give it back to the youth, the participation and the clubs.
“If we are successful here, the whole game, the whole ecosystem will be successful.”