Johns: Super League would be 'insane' not to take NRL deal

With the Super League considering selling a 50% stake in the competition to the ARLC, Matty Johns believes the RFL (Rugby Football League) would be ‘insane’ not to accept amid their financial woes.

Following years of speculation and rumours surrounding the NRL getting involved with the Northern Hemisphere competition, Super League confirmed on Friday that the ARLC had made an investment offer to RL Commercial for the competition.

The reported offer would see the ARLC provide just under $11.5 million (AUD) for five years, resulting in the NRL owning a 50% stake in the 14-team league.

In recent years, Super League has struggled financially, with most clubs unable to make a profit whilst broadcast rights money has dwindled.

Following these financial issues, the NRL’s interim executive chairman Peter V’Landys declared on SEN that the Super League is facing a massive financial train crash should they be unable to fix it.

It also comes at a time when the Super League's current TV rights deal expires at the end of the year, with negotiations with current broadcaster Sky Sports being put on hold.

Following the announcement, it was reported by The i Paper’s John Davidson that Super League is likely to reject this first offer.

Upon hearing confirmation of the proposed deal, the 1997 Premiership player with the Newcastle Knights thinks those in the UK are silly if they don't sign, noting the financial disparity between the competitions.

“They would be insane to reject it,” Johns told SEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns.

“They'd be insane. If we're $770 million a year (for TV rights), I think they're 21 (million pounds a year) – ($41.1 million AUD).

“And this is apparently, I'm led to believe, one of the sticking points (in the deal).

“The NRL would like them to go with DAZN, but a lot of the clubs want to stay with Sky.

“But they (Super League) need it; it'd be very, very interesting if the NRL buy it (and) what they do.”