The Auckland Rugby League confirmed it is in "preliminary discussions" to buy National Rugby League side New Zealand Warriors, according to Burgess & Budge of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. The ARL "submitted a letter of intent to the club," and hopes to become the majority owner of the NRL franchise. The ARL discussed the issue at board level after it learned that Eric Watson was "open to selling the club." ARL Chair Cameron McGregor said, "We see ourselves as a natural fit with the club. We have had discussions with the owner of the Warriors and they have been encouraging so far." The ARL, which was the original owner of the club when it was set up in '95, "would look to own the Warriors in conjunction with a corporate partner." McGregor: "There is obviously a football side and a business side to the operation. We would be involved with a corporate but the ARL would be the majority shareholder." The ARL has "yet to undertake due diligence, and that would only be completed once a sale agreement has been signed." McGregor added that the ARL has "sufficient funds available" to purchase a share of the club (NZ HERALD, 9/27).
