Tigerwould
Well-known member
From SMH
Will you go to Vegas ?
- Thread starter wstigers11
- Start date
Now that's a corporate feed ,you wouldn't want to miss Spartan117
Tigerwould
Well-known member
It would guarantee we wouldn’t get another R1 bye in 2027
Wests Tigers are sending two officials on a reconnaissance mission to Las Vegas this week after a leadership change at the club opened the door to a shift in their opposition to the US season opener – and could potentially see them take part in next year’s double-header.
With Canterbury, St George Illawarra, North Queensland and Newcastle in the US and preparing for this weekend’s start to the NRL season, rival fans are already wondering who will be on the double bill in 2027.
Shane Richardson announced his departure as Tigers CEO in December.
Shane Richardson announced his departure as Tigers CEO in December.Credit😀ylan Coker
Only five teams have yet to take part, including the Tigers – whose former CEO Shane Richardson made it clear he was no fan of the concept.
“Las Vegas was a f---ing disaster, and it was a party trip for everybody; I don’t want to go,” Richardson told the AFR in 2024. “I’m all about rugby league and … those little Christmas cakes don’t make any difference to the game at all.”
Now Richardson is gone, and his interim CEO successor Shaun Mielekamp has already said he is open about participating in Vegas. Coach Benji Marshall is settled as head coach and has some stability within the playing squad, which could sway opinion at the club further in favour.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed the Tigers would have at least two club officials at Allegiant Stadium to assess whether they should take part next year. The club has not yet lodged interest formally with the NRL.
Should the Tigers nominate in the coming weeks, one team they won’t play against is Parramatta, since the two western Sydney clubs traditionally draw huge crowds for their derbies.
But having both clubs in America is likely to ensure a crowd of 50,000 at Allegiant Stadium is reached for the first time because of their popularity.
The Eels, Dolphins, Titans and Storm have all lodged their interest for 2027, with only Parramatta prepared to head to Vegas as the home team, thereby giving up a regular-season home game.
“We would work with the NRL on being either [the host or away team],” Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said. “We’ve put forward our interest. The NRL know that. If we were to be the home team, our preference would be to play a team that typically wouldn’t draw a strong crowd at CommBank Stadium.”
Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said his club was keen, but only as the visiting team, especially given the Redcliffe side drew huge crowds at Suncorp Stadium for home games.
The Dolphins asked fans more than 18 months ago if they would be keen on joining a charter flight to Vegas, and they received feedback from more than 3000 fans.
The same sources suggested the Storm would be the other host, although club chairman Matt Tripp said they would also prefer not to give up a home game, especially after being locked out of Victoria for two years due to COVID.
“Our fans missed out on games for two years because of the way our state government treated all Victorians during COVID, so we’re really hopeful we can be the away team in Vegas,” Tripp said.
“I know time has passed, and a lot of those fans would be conscious of the fact that Vegas would be great for exposure and our brand, but ideally, we still want to be the away team. We’re yet to have those discussions with the NRL.”
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said he wanted his side to be included next year. “We think there are a couple of synergies with the make-up of both towns [Vegas and the Gold Coast] in regards to events and entertainment,” he said. “We’d be heavily supported by our fan base and corporate team.”
The same sources suggested the Storm would be the other host, although club chairman Matt Tripp said they would also prefer not to give up a home game, especially after being locked out of Victoria for two years due to COVID.
“Our fans missed out on games for two years because of the way our state government treated all Victorians during COVID, so we’re really hopeful we can be the away team in Vegas,” Tripp said.
“I know time has passed, and a lot of those fans would be conscious of the fact that Vegas would be great for exposure and our brand, but ideally, we still want to be the away team. We’re yet to have those discussions with the NRL.”
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said he wanted his side to be included next year. “We think there are a couple of synergies with the make-up of both towns [Vegas and the Gold Coast] in regards to events and entertainment,” he said. “We’d be heavily supported by our fan base and corporate team.”
Storm....still using something from 7 yearsbago as an excuse to.be an.away team...ruthless.
I find it remarkable things have changed so much in such a short time frame that apparently we are now 'ready' When only a short time back richo reckons we werent
I find it remarkable things have changed so much in such a short time frame that apparently we are now 'ready' When only a short time back richo reckons we werent
Theres no way we'd get another rd 1 bye next year...3 in 4 years would.be a poor look for the NRL and theyre aleeady aware how disadvantaged weve been.even more so now this Vegas season opener happens
Buttface
Well-known member
No way ya reckon.
Big chance I reckon. They been paying us back for Richos Xmas cake comment.
The NRL hate us, and the feeling is mutual.
I won’t be going to Vegas, it’s just a fluff and it’s a long drive home if we loose.
Write your own odds
Tom Shines
Well-known member
The Tigers will be gagging to give up a home game for some chump change …as always …
twentyforty
Well-known member
Richo would have been concerned about the disrupters. There’s no guarantee they could hold it together for 18 months.
Heard the Dogs CEO with Vossy this morning
Theyre taking 86 bulldogs people over all paid for.
A few smallish money making opps...local game day sponsors..Vegas specific merchandise...
An extrememly expensive exercise
Theyre taking 86 bulldogs people over all paid for.
A few smallish money making opps...local game day sponsors..Vegas specific merchandise...
An extrememly expensive exercise
wstigers11
Well-known member
Who are the two WT staff members that have gone to Vegas ?
happy_tiger
Well-known member
Would Taylan May get a work visa into the US ??
Very Very Smart.
All of this is a business expense and ensures special sponsorship for many years to come.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Gallant is one according to Telegraph today
If they are sending people over this year, you would think it’s going to happen next year
426Tlgerland
Well-known member
A healthy me would go but the world is a funny place right now , wars , and other things happening with people in their own country makes the call a bit harder , I would love to go but it’s a big trip , I did UK , Scotland , Paris , Barcelona , and 10 days cruise Italy , best thing we ever did , Is the US where the NRL needs to go , debatable , as others have said it’s all about TV money and gambling, so US probably leads the way
426Tlgerland
Well-known member
Maybe someone on hear could do a poll
Simple one
Would you go to Vegas to support the Wests Tigers , you could even add a few extras for the answer
1) Solo do our own thing
2) Group tour via club
3) Small group tour via club but lead by former players
Simple one
Would you go to Vegas to support the Wests Tigers , you could even add a few extras for the answer
1) Solo do our own thing
2) Group tour via club
3) Small group tour via club but lead by former players
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
If Lodge can, anyone can. But he is brown though, so maybe not 🤔
