JASON Hirst is confident Bradford Bulls’ Las Vegas trip will not come at a financial cost to the club.
The Bulls and Leigh Leopards will become the latest Super League teams to face off in Sin City in 2027, following in the footsteps of Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, and Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR.
Playing as part of the NRL’s Las Vegas showcase on February 27 necessitates the Bulls giving up a home game, but CEO Hirst is adamant that will not prove costly to the club.
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“There’s a financial commitment, but like every decision my team and I make, we do it after doing due diligence,” Hirst told Sky Sports.
“We’re confident we’ll break even – we’ve got some very loyal and generous sponsors, some great owners, and we’re very confident the numbers stack up.
“We’re about the bigger picture. It’s about the brand, the marketing opportunities, and letting everybody know if they don’t already know that Bradford Bulls are back and we’re not here to make up the numbers.”
Hirst was speaking at half time of Bradford’s Super League clash with York Knights at Odsal on Friday, which saw the hosts win the battle of the promoted sides 30-20.
The Bulls’ fifth win of the campaign lifted them into the top 10 with three matches of round 13 still to play.
It has not been plain sailing for Kurt Haggerty’s side on their return to the top flight after over a decade away, not least of all due to injury ravaging their squad.
Bradford are now emerging from that challenging period though and Hirst is eager for the four-time Super League champions to get back to competing for top honours in the near future.
“We don’t want to be gallant losers, we’re not here to make up the numbers,” Hirst said.
“We want to get back to former glories and that’s winning trophies.
“I’m an impatient man and I want that to come sooner rather than later.”
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