NRL boss Andrew Abdo defends inviting Donald Trump, Dana White, to Las Vegas season opener

The Australian National Rugby League (NRL) has recently defended its decision to invite former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White to its season-opening games in Las Vegas. This defense comes after the domestic violence prevention organization "White Ribbon" announced it was severing ties with the league, expressing strong disapproval of the invitations.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo defended the decision to invite Trump during a promotional event for fans at Resorts World Las Vegas. He stated that the game is being held in the United States and hosted by the United States, so inviting the U.S. President is logical. Abdo emphasized that they invited Joe Biden last year and Donald Trump this year, and this does not indicate that the NRL has any political affiliation with any political party, they are simply a sports organization committed to uniting people of different political beliefs and backgrounds.

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'landys publicly invited Trump to attend the game on the American television program "Fox & Friends," even displaying a game ball printed with the word "TRUMP." V'landys also told Channel Nine that if Trump could attend, it would be the league's biggest breakthrough ever. Previously, the Canberra Raiders had suggested that UFC President and Trump supporter White could blow the team's traditional horn and lead the Viking clap ceremony before Sunday's season opener against the Warriors.

"White Ribbon Australia" believes that extending public invitations to these two figures is a "disregard for community values." The organization has written to the NRL expressing concerns about Trump, who was found liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in a civil case in 2023. In addition, "White Ribbon" also expressed concerns about White, who was filmed two years ago in a physical altercation with his wife at a nightclub, although he was not charged as a result.

It is understood that White is currently out of town and therefore unable to attend. The NRL has not yet received word from Trump regarding whether he plans to attend. "White Ribbon" stated that fans "deserve better" and wrote to the NRL requesting that any mention of the organization's partnership with the league be removed from its website, a request that was fulfilled on Wednesday evening.