The lobbying to play in next year’s Las Vegas-hosted NRL weekend is well under way, with Canberra adding their names to the growing list of teams keen to get involved.
Raiders CEO Don Furner confirmed his club would make a formal submission to the NRL, possibly within the next fortnight, hailing the success of the inaugural double-header.
In their bid, Canberra will lean on their shared "Raiders'' moniker with the Las Vegas NFL team, hoping some of those fans would support the NRL team for the event.
Their interest comes despite limited buy-in from the American television audience.
An average of just 61,000 people tuned into Manly’s win against South Sydney on Sunday, and only 44,000 watched the Sydney Roosters’ clash with Brisbane.
The program leading into the NRL matches - a college basketball game between Xavier and Georgetown - drew 162,000 viewers.
About 40,000 people attended Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the double-header, although that included 14,000 fans who had travelled from Australia.
The TV figures haven’t dampened Canberra’s enthusiasm to get involved next season, Furner telling reporters on Wednesday the club’s lobbying was already well under way after attending the Las Vegas showpiece.
“When I got back everyone asked about it - it was fantastic, it was way better than I thought it was going to be,” he said.
“We would love to get there next year. (We’ve) spent a lot of time lobbying on it … for our sponsors it would be amazing (to get) the coverage of that game.
“I’ve done a lot of lobbying already and we’ll put a submission in in two weeks.
“Obviously there’s synergies with us and the Las Vegas Raiders, but there’ll be other parameters we’re going to have to meet.
“I’ve spoken to (coach) Ricky (Stuart) … a couple of times to make sure we were keen to go, (and) I know the players will be.”
The Raiders are unlikely to be alone in officially applying to be part of next year’s edition, with most club bosses believed to be interested in playing.
The NRL hasn’t outlined if it will rotate teams through the Las Vegas experience or allow teams who played this year, such as Manly and Sydney, to return next season.
Furner hinted the Raiders might base themselves out of Las Vegas if selected, with the Sea Eagles the only club to do that this year.
