A new company is to be established by the Rugby Football League and Super League and be headquartered at Manchester City's Etihad Campus, in a move which has been described as a "significant realignment of the sport’s governance".
The proposal has been negotiated by the two bodies to "reshape rugby league’s commercial and governance model to maximise future opportunities for the sport".
If the plans are backed by the clubs, a joint venture company will be formed to work closely with, but we separate from, the RFL.
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The RFL will remain responsible for the community game, and for elite performance through England teams, continuing to work closely with Sport England.
All staff from the RFL and the new joint venture will be based in the Sport City complex at Manchester’s Etihad Campus, which is due to become the sport’s new headquarters later this year.
In a joint statement, Ken Davy and Simon Johnson, the respective chairs of Super League and the RFL, said: "Like all sports, Rugby League has faced unprecedented challenges over the last two years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"This has concentrated our minds on the opportunities ahead for Rugby League and led to detailed negotiations over recent months with the objective of ensuring the sport re-emerges to a brighter and more sustainable future.
"We are convinced that this recommendation, with the introduction of a new company and a clear distinction from the governance responsibilities of the RFL, is the right model for our sport.
"The new company will allow the value of Rugby League to be maximised by aggregating all commercial, events and media rights, for negotiations with potential commercial partners – and in turn, maximising distributable profits and therefore returns to clubs and the wider game.
"Each of the RFL, SLE and the new company will therefore be able to concentrate on what they do best for the overall good of Rugby League at every level.
"With an embedded split of the profits between the leagues and the RFL, it also provides long-term financial clarity for member clubs.
"It enshrines a financial model which means all members have a shared destiny with all participating in the growth of revenues in the sport irrespective of which asset delivers that growth."
The recommended structure of the new company would involve the appointment of a five-strong board, with two directors appointed by the RFL, two by SLE, and a jointly appointed chair – all five to be independent from club ties.
