Super League (Europe) Ltd has tabled an offer to buy the Bradford Bulls from the club's administrator on behalf of the Super League clubs.
Top-flight clubs involved with innovative rescue package
Super League (Europe) Ltd has tabled an offer to buy the Bradford Bulls from the club's administrator on behalf of the Super League clubs.
The bid was lodged with administrator Brendan Guilfoyle on Wednesday night after Super League chief executive Nigel Wood and England's top-flight clubs compiled an innovative rescue package.
The offer is believed to represent the best solution to a problem that is threatening the survival of one of rugby league's most celebrated clubs and which remains the source of considerable uncertainty across the whole sport.
The ABC consortium and a group involving the local Bradford MP Gerry Sutcliffe have made offers for Bradford, however, both were rejected as they were conditional the club would remain in Super League and that they could reacquire the lease for Odsal Stadium from the Rugby Football League.
Safeguard
"This saga has gone on for far too long and we are of the view that direct positive action is required to safeguard the future of Bradford Bulls," Wood said in a statement on the RFL's
official website.
"The club has been in administration for five weeks now and during that time not one single offer without strings attached has been submitted to the administrator.
"This situation is clearly unacceptable and raises the tangible prospect that we could lose one of our most famous clubs, which would be a tragedy of significant proportions, not just to the sport and the city of Bradford but to the remaining staff, players and volunteers who all deserve some stability after the turmoil of recent events.
"It is to the credit of the Super League clubs that they have given their unanimous support to this move and are not prepared to stand idly by and see Bradford Bulls disappear.
"The time has come for strong and decisive leadership and this course of action, which is based on sound business principles, represents just that.
"Under the ownership of SLE, we can plot a course for Bradford Bulls which is in the best interests of the club, the competition and the wider game.
"If our offer is accepted, SLE will welcome approaches from all interested parties who have an interest in helping us secure a bright future for professional rugby league in Bradford."
