The NRL is reportedly investigating the feasibility of building its own stadium near Liverpool or Rossmore.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo have spoken to representatives from the Bulldogs and Tigers on their interest in a new stadium, and the duo has also approached the NSW state government for funding.
The Tigers in particualr are desperate for a new HQ, having been based in multiple areas across the city in the past years.
The AFL purchased Marvel Stadium in Melbourne in 2016 to diversify their income streams, and the NRL is considering purchasing its own piece of land for the stadium, meaning they could rent it out for other events.
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis believes the NRL is looking to improve their financial position in relation to assets.
“It’s interesting, because as we know the NRL have no assets basically, they own the building at Moore park and that’s about it,” he told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Whereas you look at the AFL, they own stadiums and the like, so they have a steady stream of income outside broadcast revenue and that’s what the NRL’s trying to build.
“The stadium they’re proposing is in Liverpool, which would enable the Bulldogs to set up base there, and potentially the Tigers as well.
“So discussions are ongoing.”
However, it could come the expense of upgrading previous facilities.
“It’s an interesting time at the moment because a few clubs are putting their arm up for some cash from the government,” Carayannis said.
“You’ve got Penrith wanting a complete rebuild of their stadium, Brookvale Oval looks like it might get a new grandstand on the hill, and the other stadium that looked like it was about to get down was Kogarah oval, but that looks like it might be on the back burner now for this new Liverpool stadium.
“So, I think you’ll find it’s between a new Liverpool stadium, or upgrading Kogarah oval, so that’s the discussion that’s going to happen in the next couple of weeks.”
The NRL raked in an $80 million profit in 2021 and is understood to be close to finalising a new free-to-air broadcast deal with Nine Entertainment Co, worth approximately $550-600 million.