NRL Set To Expand To 17-Team League, V'Landys Confirms

NRL boss Peter V'landys has thrown a rubber stamp over the league's newest expansion club, as a 17th team is set for Brisbane.

The Redcliffe Dolphins are expected to beat the Firehawks and Jets in the race to have their side granted into the top league.

The expansion side will enter the league in 2023 off the back of major $75 injection by News Corp into the sport for the next five years. 

A future broadcast deal has helped boost the league's call on expanding to a 17-team era, club hierarchies were told on Thursday afternoon.

Club bosses were told the NRL is close to securing a new free-to-air deal with the Nine Network, in addition to the five-year deal with Foxtel, adding funding across the board.

The Dolphins are in the box seat to topple the two Brisbane sides (Brisbane East Firehawks and Brisbane Jets) in a tight finish.

The expectation is that home games will be played at Suncorp Stadium, offering the Brisbane Broncos a cross-town rival and a fourth Queensland club.

It is the first new team introduced since Gold Coast Titans in 2007.

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