THE BOARDROOM: NRL expansion and the business of rugby league ft. John Ribot

The Boardroom’s Ryan Hoffman (Melbourne Storm, New Zealand Warriors, New South Wales, Australia) is joined by renowned rugby league administrator John Ribot for a deep dive into building an NRL club from the ground up.

Having been the founding CEO of the Brisbane Broncos, Melbourne Storm and the ceased Australian Super League, Ribot reflects and dissects the travails, tribulations and intricacies of expansion ahead of Perth and Papua New Guinea’s arrival.

Hosted by NRL premiership players Ryan Hoffman and Chad Townsend, The Boardroom NRL Podcast takes a wide-lens look at the state of rugby league, delivering big-picture, no-nonsense views on the NRL.

⬇️ THE AGENDA:

00:00 Welcome to the Boardroom

01:58 Where the game is now

04:26 Mandate for Super League

14:05 Denver Broncos story

17:07 Brisbane Broncos

18:31 Expansion in Rugby League

19:24 Perth Bears

22:26 PNG Chiefs

23:47 Starting at the Melbourne Storm

25:39 20th NRL team?

29:44 Most important in starting a franchise

30:32 Chris Anderson

31:54 Peter V'landys verdict

32:56 NRLW expansion

37:47 Record-Breaking TV deal

Recorded on 19/06/2026

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