The NRL has maintained its invitation to former President Donald Trump to attend the season-opening event in Las Vegas on Sunday, despite controversy surrounding the decision. NRL CEO Andrew Abdo defended the move during a fan event, stating that inviting the sitting president is a standard practice for events held in the United States. He noted that last year’s event also extended an invitation to President Joe Biden, emphasising that the NRL does not align itself politically and simply aims to celebrate the sport.
Abdo explained that as the event is hosted in America, inviting its leaders is appropriate and reflects the spirit of inclusivity the NRL aims to foster, regardless of political beliefs. He reiterated that the organisation’s intent is to unite people through sport.
Additionally, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys made efforts to capture Trump’s attention through a personal message on Fox and Friends, presenting a specially branded ‘TRUMP’ ball as part of the invitation. While there has been correspondence with Trump’s office, his attendance remains uncertain, and UFC President Dana White, a close associate of Trump, will be absent due to prior commitments.
Furthermore, the invite to Dana White, who faced backlash for an incident involving his wife, has drawn criticism from advocacy groups like White Ribbon Australia, who believe it contradicts their values. Nonetheless, the NRL continues its pursuit of high-profile attendees for this key event, aiming to enhance the visibility and excitement of rugby league in an international context.