The Brisbane Broncos are set to return to the Northern Hemisphere – in a business capacity – with reports from British tabloids that they will re-purchase the Championship side London Broncos ahead of the commencement of their upcoming season.
The venture would mark the second time the Brisbane side would have taken ownership of the London franchise, with the team having previously taken ownership in 1994 – when the London team had the moniker of the ‘Crusaders.’
At the time, the venture lasted until the 1997 season when businessman David Hughes stepped in to take ownership – with the club adopting the Bronco-moniker and transitioning into the Super League competition.
Hughes has owned the club ever since, however in September 2024 he confirmed that he would put the club up for sale, throwing the club’s financial security into doubt.
It was also not helped that the 2024 season saw the Broncos relegated from the Super League after just one year back in the top division.
“After 27 eventful years, of which we spent 20 years in the Super League, I have decided on behalf of myself and the Hughes family that we will step down at the end of the season,” Hughes told BBC Sport back in September.
“We will make every effort to facilitate anyone interested in taking over the club to lead it through the Championship.”
Other investors were reportedly interested in ploughing more money into rugby league in Europe, including the NRL, who were reportedly in talks in late 2024 with the Super League about buying a stake in the competition.
Those talks appear to have not progressed since then – which makes Brisbane’s sudden interest in buying the fledging rugby league side a stars-aligned moment for Australian rugby league.
London Broncos have jumped back and forth between the Championship and the Super League for the last several years. (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Reports out of London indicate that should the sale go ahead before the start of the season, London will stay at Cherry Red Records Stadium, which is owned by English Football League Two side AFC Wimbledon.
The club will also bring on new blood to manage the takeover, with Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington linked to a role in the new set-up.
The London Broncos’ Championship season is set to officially get underway on February 16th with a trip away to face the Bradford Bulls.
Hunt’s homecoming – in more Maroons than one
NRL-veteran Ben Hunt endured several months of contract discussion playing out in the public arena before finally signing with his original side the Brisbane Broncos.
The 300-capped NRL player endured a messy break-up with the St George Illawarra Dragons, however speaking on Sen, the star revealed the return to the Sunshine State was exactly what he needed as he enters the twilight of his professional rugby league career.
Hunt had envisioned returning to Queensland, believing that he hoped he could give back to the club that gave him his start – and he’d have his eye on a significant milestone in 2025: to pay 200 matches for the Broncos.
Ben Hunt last played for the Brisbane Broncos in 2017. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“I think deep down, it was always going to be hard to pass up. I believe I’m at 187 games, and yeah, to play 200 games for such a great club, it’s something I’m definitely going to cherish,” Hunt said.
The Broncos are set to enter the year with several fresh faces and a new coach in Michael Maguire – but Hunt has admitted that he has found it easy to fit right back in as the club undergoes a significant revamp.
“It was a really good camp, mate. There were some tough things in it, but there’s a lot of leadership and culture work,” Hunt explained.
“There’s a lot of young guys at the club now who don’t know the history of the Broncos, so we did a lot of stuff on that.
“They’re a lot more confident coming into grade now. When I first came in, we’d sit in the corner and answer back only if we were spoken to. These kids now, they’re full of confidence.”
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Hunt is set to be a vital head of experience for the Broncos – and could be set for higher honours, having been part of Queensland’s State of Origin set-up since 2017.
The 35-year-old hopes that, despite his age, he hopes to maintain performing at the highest level.
“There’s just something about pulling on the jersey and playing for your state.
“If I’m playing at a level I believe I’m good enough for, and Billy [Slater] thinks I’m good enough, then I’ll always make myself available.”