Sports management company ARC is finalising a deal to acquire a majority stake in London Skolars, the lowest-ranked professional rugby league club in England. The Australian firm, which has previously ventured into rugby league with failed projects in New York and Jacksonville, aims to transform the struggling League 1 side into the capital's premier rugby league club.
ARC, led by owner Steve Scanlan and Tony Feasey, who led the takeover talks, plans to buy out the current directors' 408,671 shares, valued at £1 each. While the exact price remains undisclosed, a former director suggested it is a low six-figure sum. Skolars secretary Andrew Jackson described the deal as 'an opportunity for new investors to come in rather than the existing investors selling out and making any money.'
The takeover comes at a time when rugby league in London is at a low ebb. The London Broncos, currently 10th in the Championship, are £26m in debt and lack their own stadium, training ground, or offices. Skolars, who have played at New River Stadium in Wood Green for 25 years, also have no permanent home. ARC's ambitions include potentially changing the club's name and exploring new venues, with Feasey stating, 'Without sounding arrogant, we want all of London.'
ARC's previous attempts to establish rugby league in new markets—New York City RLFC and the Jacksonville Axemen—both collapsed. However, the company has brought on board former Australia international David Shillington and ex-England player Shaun Lunt. The takeover is expected to be completed in time for Skolars' match against Dewsbury on Sunday.
The deal has raised cautious optimism, given past failed promises, such as Toronto Wolfpack's abandoned investment in Skolars four years ago. Nonetheless, with IMG grading London as an important market and the RFL struggling to capitalise on it, fresh investment could mark a turning point for the sport in the capital.
