Peter V’landys has declared his intention to introduce rugby league to US President Donald Trump – and believes Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary could be spruiked as Australia’s version of NFL legend Tom Brady.
It comes ahead of four footy games being staged at Allegiant Stadium come March 1 local time in Las Vegas.
ARLC chairman V’landys recently spent time in Sin City where he attended a lavish Consumer Electronics Show – and now he is armed with ideas as to how the make the footy code a significant player on the world stage.
Be it extending an invitation to President Trump to attend the games in the flesh, or market Cleary as the global poster boy of rugby league, V’Landys is thinking big.
He believes Cleary can be touted as Australia’s version of NFL legend Tom Brady – the seven-time Super Bowl champion.
‘Absolutely – Nathan is a once-in-a-generation player,’ V’landys told News Corp.
Peter V’landys has declared his intention to introduce rugby league to US President Donald Trump

The ARLC chairman believes Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary could be spruiked to locals in Las Vegas as Australia’s version of NFL legend Tom Brady

Tom Brady – the seven-time Super Bowl champion – needs no introduction to many sports fans, even in Australia

President Donald Trump may love the gladiator aspect of rugby league, given he is a UFC fan
‘He has got everything. He is a good human being, his talent is immeasurable.
‘He is a game breaker and a lot of the reason Penrith has won everything the last four years.
‘He is the perfect guy to get a following in America.’
Las Vegas 2.0 promises to be a huge event for footy fans – besides the Panthers, Sharks, Warriors and Raiders launching the 2025 NRL Premiership with a double header, English Super League clubs Warrington and Wigan will also lock horns.
V’Landys personally can’t wait to see the Jillaroos versus England women’s Test match, which he believes will ‘rock the socks’ of locals.
Meanwhile, the NRL has called on pop icon Rick Astley to help promote its blockbuster Las Vegas matches in a decision that can only be described as highly surprising.
Astley, 58, achieved global fame through his 1980s track Never Gonna Give You Up, which topped the charts in 25 countries.
He is a die-hard Warrington fan, and issued a call to arms for supporters to fly in from England to see the game in the flesh.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo is excited about rugby league dipping its toes into the US sporting market once again.
‘The 2025 Las Vegas event will feature two highly anticipated NRL Premiership matches to open the season, the 2024 UK Challenge Cup finalists, Wigan and Warrington, and a Test match showcasing some of the most elite women’s players from both hemispheres,’ he said recently.
‘We encourage fans to take advantage of the Las Vegas festival experience – a true bucket list item for all rugby league and sports fans.
‘The participating teams will now get the chance to perform on a global stage with huge exposure.’
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