Karl Stefanovic has bought a stake in proposed NRL America and backs Reece Walsh to be face of new league

The NRL’s ambitious push into the United States is gaining major momentum with Channel 9’s star presenter Karl Stefanovic investing in a proposed ‘NRL America’ competition set to launch in 2025.

In addition to his investment, the media personality has also backed Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh to become the face of the US competition once they see him play in the historic first round of the NRL in Las Vegas on March 2.

Stefanovic is a passionate fan of the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons and believes Walsh will also attract the attention of NFL scouts when he lights up Allegiant Stadium on March 2.

Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh will set America alight when the NRL launches its 2024 season with a double-header at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

NRL America is set to become a reality after a private consortium approached V’Landys about the possibility of a 10-team, $23 million competition in the United States starting in 2025.

Steve Scanlan, head of the Rugby League America consortium, is expected to formally present the proposal to the ARL Commission next Sunday.

Now venturing into the American dream of rugby league, Stefanovic aims to play a key role in the sport’s possible expansion in the United States.

“I have agreed to the concept with my personal Brisbane lawyer, Daniel Hannay,” Stefanovic said. news corporation.

“He called me (about the American Super League concept) and I said ‘Yes’ in an instant,” Stefanovic continued.

‘I will do anything to promote the best game in the world.

“Peter V’landys is a genius…this concept will work.”

Walsh said the NRL may have work to do to retain Walsh, however, saying the NRL double-header in Las Vegas could lead to an NFL switch.

“You can quote me on this… Reece Walsh is the man most likely to snitch on US agents on Sunday,” Stefanovic said.

“It’s very difficult to make the transition to the NFL, but Walsh has done it.”

And he is quite young.

Historic matches between the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos and the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Sea Eagles are part of a major push towards the United States.

ARLC boss Peter V’Landys stressed the talks were preliminary but the consortium behind NRL America is positive.

Scanlan said the competition could go ahead without NRL support, but preliminary talks with the V’Landys had been “positive”.

“We could certainly do this without the NRL, but if the NRL came together, the synergies and partnership opportunities would be huge for the game in America and would lend some legitimacy to what we’re doing,” he said.

“We are absolutely open to the competition being called NRL America if the NRL wanted to be a part of it.”

V’landys emphasized that the talks were preliminary.

“I wouldn’t completely rule it out (the NRL supporting an American league), but we need competent people who want to run it,” he said.

‘We can’t do everything. We would need people on the ground with the drive and passion to organize an American NRL competition.’