Canada Rugby League Chair Eric Perez, the man "behind an ambitious bid to introduce a Canadian team into English rugby league," has revealed that although no deal has been agreed, "talks are ongoing about a side entering as early as next season," according to Aaron Bower of the London GUARDIAN. Perez is "driving forward the move to have a Toronto-based side play in League 1, the third tier of the domestic structure." He said that despite reports suggesting the deal "had been given the go ahead, no move has yet been completed -- but they are hopeful of something being agreed soon." Perez: "It's no big secret that we made a bid for it to happen. We put a proposal together for a League 1 expansion team in Toronto, and currently we're still in talks with the Rugby Football League. No deal has been done yet." Every team competing in League 1 is "primarily part-time, leading to suggestions that such a long journey is financially unviable."
However, the Canadians will "fund all aspects of the trip, including
flights, accommodation and other costs." They will "even provide each club
with a batch of tickets to sell which will help clubs turn a profit" (GUARDIAN, 5/7).
