New York will follow in the footsteps of the Toronto Wolfpack and bid their way into the Rugby Football League.

According to The Daily Telegraph, New York's bid to enter the English competition is only a couple of weeks away from being approved.

The historical move would see the league organise chartered flights across the Atlantic and the right accommodation for teams involved who will make the seven-hour journey.

New York has reportedly compiled a wish list and it contains a talented bunch of out-of-contract NRL players.

Most of them are approaching the twilight of their careers including; Benji Marshall (34 years old), Kieran Foran (29), Brett Morris (33), Josh Morris (33), Darius Boyd (32), Sia Soliola (33), Aiden Tolman (30), Matt Prior (32), Jesse Bromwich (30), James Tamou (30) and James Graham (34).

The trajectory of New York's pending team looks to be a likely entry into the third-tier League One in 2021.

There then could be a promotion into the second-tier RFL Championship in 2022 and therefore a subsequent rise into the Super League by 2023.

New York chief executive, Rick Wilby says he is excited about the emergence of the team, โ€œthe amount of players that have reached out and wanted to be involved has been ridiculous."

The rubber-stamping of New York's entry into the league is expected to be completed before the end of the year, and they will target a $1 million-dollar per-year player once the team is secured into the league.

โ€œWe would want players who are prepared to be involved in something from the ground up,โ€ Wilby said.

โ€œIt (official entry from the RFL) probably wonโ€™t be days away but certainly weeks. We want it closed and sealed off by Christmas or the close of this year.

โ€œThat will give us a full year before we kick a ball. Things are progressing nicely.

โ€œThe players coming out of contract next year, we can start talking to them. Thatโ€™s why we want to get it signed off before Christmas.

โ€œItโ€™s a whole new world for rugby league and for the player pool.โ€

The team is yet to announce a logo nor a nickname, but will look to play at Red Bull Stadium in New Jersey and would mean a sharing arrangement would need to be agreed upon with MLS (Major League Soccer) soccer club, New York Red Bulls.

4 COMMENTS

  1. That list of players benji stands out as someone to attract players and supporters with his style of play, also Foran for his toughness and leadership would be appreciated quickly

  2. Foran would be good, and bulldogs would love to have him off the books. Heโ€™s also the youngest of that bunch so he could stick with the team for a while and has loads of experience to give to everyone.

  3. The English Rugby League organisation is doing an excellent job in promoting the greatest game of all around the World. Canada will play a team in the Super League next season and now the door is opened for the rise of a USA team. Hopefully they will be successful and qualify for a place in the Super League within the next few years.
    Well done English footy hierarchy.

  4. Agree Mark, they have done so well to have a competitive league and expand into other countries. The NRL has been good getting PNG and Fiji started but it needs to introduce a promotion and relegation system like what England has

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