According to the ABC

[Carlos Parra]

I was listening to ABC Queensland in the car early this afternoon.

The host and two of her guests, including a league writer based in America, effectively trashed the Las Vegas experiment. They rejected the notion there were 40,000 people in attendance (more like 1/3rd that number they thought), rubbished the TV coverage and said barely a single American attended the game and hardly anyone knew it was happening. Successive callers supported those viewpoints by which time I'd arrived at my destination and didn't bother listening to the rest of the segment.

[SamKerrSimp]

Who cares

[Carlos Parra]

Who cares

I thought it might interest some people. I personally don't care if you don't care, but why do you have to be such a miserable SOB and ruin everything all the time?

Git.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I was listening to ABC Queensland in the car early this afternoon.

The host and two of her guests, including a league writer based in America, effectively trashed the Las Vegas experiment. They rejected the notion there were 40,000 people in attendance (more like 1/3rd that number they thought), rubbished the TV coverage and said barely a single American attended the game and hardly anyone knew it was happening. Successive callers supported those viewpoints by which time I'd arrived at my destination and didn't bother listening to the rest of the segment.

Interesting to hear mate. Its the first knock on the gig I've heard, all others have been overwhelmingly complimentary. I suspect they aren't League-ies anyway or have an agenda. You did mention the ABC however..

[Bruce Pickett]

ABC - inner city, chai latte sipping, tofu munching Paddington buddhists who are more into their rugger.

[Carlos Parra]

Interesting to hear mate. Its the first knock on the gig I've heard, all others have been overwhelmingly complimentary. I suspect they aren't League-ies anyway or have an agenda. You did mention the ABC however..

Yes, that could come as hardly a shock, but rather surprisingly, the radio host is a bit of a footy head and seems to be quite conversant with all things NRL. She and others suggested that a SOO match should be taken to America where the players will put more spirit and effort into the contest than what was apparently on display yesterday.

[Carlos Parra]

ABC - inner city, chai latte sipping, tofu munching Paddington buddhists who are more into their rugger.

This is true, but the program host is into rugby league so her comments came as a bit of a surprise.

[King Salvo]

It is a 5 year deal so I assume all 17 teams will participate over the next 4 years - In Year 5 if still 17 teams then 3 teams will have a second game in Las Vegas.

[Carlos Parra]

It is a 5 year deal so I assume all 17 teams will participate over the next 4 years - In Year 5 if still 17 teams then 3 teams will have a second game in Las Vegas.

There's talk of a triple-header.

[zac]

abc have had some great league commentators over the years. seems like the vegas experiment hasn't been a flop at least in creating an exciting opening round but it wouldn't surprise if there's no take up in the states

[Carlos Parra]

abc have had some great league commentators over the years. seems like the vegas experiment hasn't been a flop at least in creating an exciting opening round but it wouldn't surprise if there's no take up in the states

I agree. It's been tried before and basically withered on the vine.

[Ray Stehr]

I had a look at 5 las vegas newspapers that were printed after the games finished, only 1 paper made a mention of the game, even kids basketball got more of a mention. They should’ve asked every patron that went through the turnstiles what their nationality was
to get an idea how many actual Americans went. I know the American NRL package on Fox is $150 US a year, which is way too expensive. Aussie fans who love RL would pay it but Americans, I don't think so, so that's a big mistake they've made. They've done a good job so far, but if they really want RL to take off in America they have to make it very accessible.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

abc have had some great league commentators over the years. seems like the vegas experiment hasn't been a flop at least in creating an exciting opening round but it wouldn't surprise if there's no take up in the states

Grew up on John O 'Reilly, Kevin Ryan, Alan Marks, Reg Gasnier, David Morrow and Mike Stephenson. Later loved Brian Smith on the wireless, brilliant analyst of the game.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

This story paints a brighter picture

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...40b37419970aa7

[Carlos Parra]

I had a look at 5 las vegas newspapers that were printed after the games finished, only 1 paper made a mention of the game, even kids basketball got more of a mention. They should’ve asked every patron that went through the turnstiles what their nationality was
to get an idea how many actual Americans went. I know the American NRL package on Fox is $150 US a year, which is way too expensive. Aussie fans who love RL would pay it but Americans, I don't think so, so that's a big mistake they've made. They've done a good job so far, but if they really want RL to take off in America they have to make it very accessible.

I haven't seen any international coverage of the game.