Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Lockyer explains decision to get involved with Broncos
Nicholas Quinlan • September 19th, 2025 9:04 pm
Darren Lockyer has given some insight as to his decision to become a part-owner of the London Broncos.
The Brisbane Broncos legend was announced this week as a member of the new ownership group at the RFL Championship club, who are situated in the second tier of English Rugby League.
When explaining why he decided to become a part-owner, Lockyer admitted that it was never his intention to make an investment in a sporting organisation.
But after receiving and considering the offer, the former Australian representative, alongside business partner Grant Wechsel and former Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington, felt it was too good to pass up.
“I’ve got to say that there was no aspirations to have an investment in a sporting organisation,” he explained on SEN 1170’s Afternoons.
“It’s sort of one of those things that just came across the desk of myself and my business partner. We do a bit of stuff in the mining game, and through some consultants we’ve used with other parts of our business, it just came across and just landed in our lap.
“And we thought, ‘Well, hang on a minute, this is Rugby League, it’s got the Broncos attached to it and it’s in London’.
“So those three things combined made it an exciting opportunity. But it also comes with risk as well, so we're going in with eyes wide open, but we're excited with what the club can do.”
Their announcement comes at an interesting time for the game in England as the Super League looks to add two new teams to their 12-man competition for next season.
And while the Broncos may have finished 10th this season, they have been ambitious in putting their hand up to be one of those two teams selected.
They have already got a commitment from coach Jason Demetriou, who has coached in the Super League and the NRL, whilst working on pre-commitments from NRL players should the side feature in the top flight.
Lockyer believes that if the side is to be selected and can be successful, it can help grow the game beyond just the English capital, with the help of the Australian and New Zealand ex-pat communities.
“Without a doubt, it is a world city,” Lockyer said.
“There’s nine million people that live here, there are about 170,000 Aussies and Kiwis living in the London area. Now, the London Broncos currently play in a stadium which is AFC Wimbledon’s (ground), which has got a capacity of 10,000 people.
“I think at the moment, they are only getting 1500 people to the games, so the opportunity is, what we do really well in Australia is memberships.
"And that’s been a big focus for the NRL, and we think if we can tap into that Australian and New Zealand ex-pat market and also bring some locals on the journey, then we think we can build a strong membership base, a strong sponsorship book and create that business we are talking about.
“If a successful London Broncos team is a part of the Super League, it can only be good for the world game.”
A decision on the two sides being selected to join the Super League is expected to be confirmed on October 16 (local time).
