The NRL hasn’t held discussions about acquiring a stake in the Super League, instead focusing on finalising a pay deal with its players that will likely be announced next week.

The UK's Sky News has reported the NRL have been in negotiations to purchase a 50 per cent share of the English competition, suggesting that stake could be valued at approximately £75 million ($134m). However, the Herald has been told that no such discussions have taken place between the parties.

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Powerbrokers at Rugby League Central believe the report is a ploy to drive up the price of the Super League, which has engaged banking giant Rothschild & Co to source potential investors.

The NRL wants to foster a closer relationship with the Super League and may give some consideration to an equity stake in the future. The governing body doesn’t own a single asset, something Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has stated he wants to rectify.