RFL buy Bradford’s Odsal Stadium

The RFL has paid an undisclosed sum in an arrangement that will allow Bradford Bulls to remain at their spiritual home as tenants.

RFL chairman Richard Lewis said the move would bring security to Odsal, which has recently been the subject of predatory approaches.

“This arrangement is absolutely the right thing to do because it safeguards the future of one of the sport’s most famous stadia,” said Lewis.

“Odsal is famous throughout the world and it would be a tragedy were the venue to be lost to the sport in the way that other evocative Rugby League venues have already been lost.

“We have paid market value for the stadium and the Bulls will pay market value rental to the RFL to play their home fixtures at Odsal.”

Bulls chairman Peter Hood said the sale of Odsal to the RFL would enable the club to face the future with confidence.

“This is excellent news for Bradford Bulls, for the Bradford district and for the sport,” said Hood. “Odsal is an iconic Rugby League venue and is strategically important to the Bradford district, located as it is at the head of the city’s principal access corridor.

“The sale to the RFL safeguards our immediate future and keeps all the options open once the economy recovers from recession.”

For more on this story read Wednesday’s Yorkshire Post.