Rugby League Commercial (RLC), which manages the commercial business of the UK’s Super League competition, has brought in professional services heavyweight Deloitte as a strategic advisory partner.
Deloitte will work with RLC to identify and then develop strategic investment opportunities into the latter body. The project will specifically involve Deloitte's Sports Business Group.
The hierarchy at the 14-team Super League competition (featuring 12 sides from England and two from France) has the bringing in of further investment as one of its top priorities.
Andrew Abdo, chief executive of Australia's National Rugby League, will be in the UK later this month, as talks around a proposed partnership between the two competitions continue (having first been mooted last year).
In addition, several private equity firms have reportedly expressed interest in taking on a Super League stake.
Rhodri Jones, managing director at RL Commercial, stated: "Rugby League is strongly positioned for growth and investment, and by appointing trusted experts at Deloitte, we believe this is the right moment to secure the most advantageous outcome for the sport.
“We have been in active discussions with a number of prospective partners in recent months, and bringing Deloitte on board at this stage to provide guidance and explore opportunities in greater detail represents a prudent and professional next step."
RLC has claimed that the Deloitte Sports Business Group has, in total, worked across more than 250 "of the most ambitious sports transactions."
RL Commercial was launched through a partnership between English rugby league's governing bodies and the IMG heavyweight sports marketing agency, dating back to May, 2022.
Last April, it was reported that the NRL was considering purchasing a 33% stake in Super League.
Australian media reported at that time that the Australian league would only consider such investment if it gained “complete administrative control” of the other competition from 2028.
The 2026 Super League season got underway in mid-February and will come to an end with the competition's Grand Final on October 3.
Deloitte's Sports Business Group, meanwhile, has most recently assisted the England and Wales Cricket Board with bringing in outside investment to The Hundred competition, and has also worked with SailGP to expand by two teams for the ongoing 2026 campaign.
