- NRL is seriously considering a very expensive purchase
- TORL Commission President Peter V’landys can see the benefit
- The league is looking to expand into Papua New Guinea
The NRL is set to buy a multi-million-dollar private jet so football stars can jet around the country in Taylor Swift style.
ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys and NRL management, led by CEO Andrew Abdo, have given their approval to a feasibility study into whether a jet aircraft could be added to its assets.
NRL clubs based outside Sydney, notably the North Queensland Cowboys, Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors, are understood to have backed the bold proposal.
Earlier this week, the NRL had to charter a flight for the Cowboys, who were initially unable to get their players and staff on a flight to Sydney ahead of their elimination final against the Sharks on Friday night at Allianz Stadium.
According to the The Sydney Morning HeraldThe Cowboys will share the cost of the flight with the NRL.
Ironically, both direct flights from Townsville to Sydney this week were already booked as Cowboys fans frantically made sure they could get to the game.
And before last week’s elimination final defeat, the Newcastle Knights secured a private flight following a brief delay from their round 27 home game against the Dolphins.
V’Landys said the prospect of the NRL adding its own aircraft to its assets was “welcome news”. suggestion’ that has ‘enormous benefits’.
The NRL is set to buy a multi-million-dollar private jet, a move often associated with business moguls and global superstars such as Taylor Swift (pictured).
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys (pictured) and NRL management, led by chief executive Andrew Abdo, appear keen to see the move through.
Last month, Warriors boss Cameron George (pictured left with Shaun Johnson) urged the NRL to splash out on a private jet.
“You can do promotions where you can take fans to different places, and especially if we expand to Perth, Papua New Guinea, the South Island of New Zealand or wherever, it becomes a more realistic option,” he said.
‘If it’s just a little more money than we’re paying now, it doesn’t matter because the comfort and convenience it would give to the players for their well-being (which) far outweighs any additional cost.
‘Cost-benefit analysis can be compounded by the revenue earned when it is not used.’
Melbourne Storm general manager Frank Ponissi added that his club would be “very supportive” of the plan, highlighting improved athlete preparation and travel arrangements.
Last month, Cowboys chief executive Jeff Reibel and Warriors boss Cameron George urged the NRL to spend $15 million on a private jet.
“In theory, it’s a sensible analysis for the NRL to undertake,” George said.
‘The benefit of charters for teams like us, the Cowboys, a Perth team, is that you don’t have to stay an extra night.’
And with a Papua New Guinea team set to enter the competition from 2028 following a $600 million funding pledge from the federal government, the private jet concept has even more merit.