Could this really work?
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Salford Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash says plans to base an English side in Australia’s NRL is “financially viable”.
According to PA, the self-made billionaire wants to introduce a “British Bulldogs” expansion side to the NRL in 2018, with the club to play its games in England and Dubai.
Koukash plans to buy an Australian club fell through in 2014, but he has not yet given up hope of owning an NRL side.
The Palestine-born 57-year-old, who saved the Salford Red Devils from financial ruin two years ago, says he already has sponsors line up.
“This is a better way of me getting into the NRL,” he told PA.
“It boils down to whether the NRL want to expand but, if they do, I can’t see why an English team cannot participate.
“The distances involved would be greater but the world is a much smaller place nowadays.
“It would work, it is financially viable.
“I have got a major airline willing to back it and I have a hotel group also willing to provide sponsorship and we haven’t started to market it yet. It is three years in the planning.”
The NRL are toying with the idea of expanding the league beyond 16 teams following the new television rights deal in 2017.
New Zealand and Queensland are believed to be favourites to land a deal for new sides.
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