One of National Rugby League Head of Game Strategy & Development Shane Richardson's "opening tasks in his new role" could be to meet with British billionaire Marwan Koukash, who is behind a "daring bid to introduce an English club into
the NRL after the game's governing body confirmed it would explore all
expansion proposals," according to Michael Carayannis of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Koukash, the owner of English club Salford Red Devils, is "keen to explore the possibility of an
English-based franchise joining the league's premier competition." An NRL spokesperson confirmed the game "would explore all possibilities if
they decide to expand the competition beyond its current 16-team
format." The spokesperson said, "We will be launching the biggest NRL calendar to date
this week and have our eyes firmly on delivering a great year across the
nines, all-stars, premiership and representative calendar." Any expansion is "expected to coincide with the game's current television deal expiring" at the end of '17. Extra
teams in New Zealand and Queensland are among "likely bidders for a
place in the NRL alongside Perth and the Central Coast." However, Koukash said that he had already secured an int'l airline to "sponsor any franchise" (SMH, 1/25).
