NRL club Brisbane Broncos are in advanced talks over buying part of the London Broncos in a surprise move that would secure the future of professional rugby league in the capital.
London were relegated after finishing bottom of Super League and put up for sale by owner David Hughes last year, leading to fears that the club would collapse.
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The London Broncos could be bought in a deal that will see them stay in the capitalCredit: PA:Press Association
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The Broncos play at Plough LaneCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
Brisbane are understood to have offered a significant investment as part of a rescue package brokered by Gary Hetherington, chief executive of Leeds Rhinos.
Hetherington’s involvement will send shockwaves throughout Super League, as he has been closely associated with Leeds for almost 30 years and played a key role in the most successful period in the club’s history.
The rescue package will be a major boost for rugby league at a time when Salford Red Devils are facing expulsion from Super League due to financial problems.
Other investors are also involved in a deal that will involve the Broncos continuing to play home matches at AFC Wimbledon’s Cherry Record Stadiums on Plough Lane.
Multiple sources have told SunSport that they hope it will be completed by the end of the month in time for the start of London’s Championship season, which begins with a trip to another fallen giant Bradford Bulls on 16 February.
NRL bosses held talks with Super League last year about buying a stake in the European competition, but Brisbane have acted on their own in a move that will enable to promote the club in London.
The proposed deal will bring back memories of Brisbane’s previous ownership of the club 30 years ago.
Brisbane bought a controlling interest in the then London Crusaders in 1994, and rebranded them as the Broncos, before selling to Richard Branson’s Virigin Group three years later.
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London have struggled for finances and crowds for most of their history since they were formed as Fulham in 1980, with the situation becoming desperate last winter following relegation and the decision of Hughes to step away after providing funding for two decades.
Broncos chief execuetive Jason Loubser told the club’s website in October that they needed to raise around £350,000 to survive the month and were seeking further investment of around £900,000 to ensure they could complete the 2025 season.
Eighth-tier football club move into former Rugby Premiership stadium with bigger capacity than Premier League side 
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Mike Eccles has committed his future to the teamCredit: Getty
Even without finishing bottom last season the Broncos would not have been in Super League this year, as they were ranked 24th in the controversial new grading system introduced by the Rugby Football League’s new partners IMG.
A takeover by Brisbane will improve the Bronco’s grading and increase the chances of a possible return to Super League, but more important in the short term is the fact that it will guarantee the club can compete this season.
Broncos head coach Mike Eccles agreed to stay on despite uncertainty over the club’s future over the winter, but has been unable to register a full squad of players with less than a month until the Championship kick-off.
Hetherington’s role is intriguing as he has been at Leeds for almost 30 years having rebranded the club as the Rhinos in 1997.
Under his leadership the Rhinos have won eight Super League titles, three Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges.
Despite that Hetherington is also a rugby league expansionist who is strongly supportive of having a club in London.
He previously helped to found the Sheffield Eagles in the 1980s before joining Leeds a decade later.
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Publish date : 2025-01-19 17:43:28
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