- A top NFL player has taken the lead for the opening round of the NRL season in Las Vegas.
- The NRL has been stepping up its advertising in recent months.
The NRL has recruited one of football’s biggest stars to front its promotional campaign for the season opener in Las Vegas.
Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski has fronted the NRL’s latest video campaign for the rugby league festival, which kicks off in the entertainment capital of the world on March 1.
Gronkowski, who teamed with legendary quarterback Tom Brady on the New England Patriots before moving to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, leads the ad’s voiceover, saying, “You feel that.”
A greatest hits montage follows before the 35-year-old former tight end says, “Your offseason is here.”
It comes as the NRL is ramping up its publicity for the blockbuster weekend over the past month, having recently ambushed the Formula One race weekend with a slew of promotions.
NFL star Rob Gronkowski headlined the NRL’s latest Las Vegas round campaign
It comes as the league has been launching multiple advertising campaigns across the city in a bid to increase viewership.
The screens adorning the roof of Las Vegas’ iconic Freemont Street boulevard were recently illuminated with Steeden rugby balls, while Allegiant Stadium, where the games will be held in March, has also broadcast images of NRL stars on large LED screens outside the stadium. .
“It’s football, but not as you know it,” added Gronkowski, who was the NFL’s leading touchdown scorer in 2011.
‘No protectors, no armor and no downtime. The best rugby league players from around the world gather in Las Vegas.
‘Eight teams, four games. “That’s an epic inning.”
The increased publicity comes after the round of matches struggled to capture the attention of American viewers, with ratings showing only 61,000 people tuned in to watch the Rabbitohs take on the Sea Eagles during the prime-time match. prime time audience on Saturday night. While the numbers had set a new viewership record in the United States, 838,000 Australian spectators sat down to watch the games.
Fans online were greatly excited to see NFL great Gronkowski at the forefront of the campaign and some took to social media to express their excitement for the next round of games.
Someone wrote on X: ‘I didn’t think we could find anything else to love about Gronk, but here it is!’
Another added: NRL in Las Vegas is not to be missed! One of the best experiences of my life this year!!’
Fans took to social media to state that they were excited about the announcement and couldn’t wait for the new season to start.
The Raiders will take on the New Zealand Warriors, while last year’s first-place winners the Panthers will go head-to-head against the Sharks.
The NRL is looking to increase the number of American spectators attending, after it was reported that 61,000 people will sit down to watch the rugby league festival in 2023.
‘I love it. Well done,” added another. ‘Can it be March already? I’m done with this offseason.’
The Raiders will take on the New Zealand Warriors, while last year’s premiership winners the Panthers will go head-to-head against the Sharks as part of the four-match spectacle.
The Jillaroos will also take on the England women’s team in a major rivalry, while Super League winners Wigan take on Warrington in the all-English clash. Almost 30,000 tickets have been sold for the event.
Gronkowski also took part in the round of match launch event, alongside Aaron Woods and Billy Walters in Los Angeles, before receiving a Manly jersey with his name on it.