NRL Faces Criticism for Inviting Trump and Dana White to Las Vegas Opener

White Ribbon Australia ends partnership with NRL over concerns about the league's invitation to figures with controversial histories.

The NRL has invited U.S. President Donald Trump and UFC President Dana White to its season-opening matches in Las Vegas, but neither has confirmed attendance.
White Ribbon Australia, a domestic violence prevention organization, has severed ties with the NRL, citing misalignment with its values due to the invitations.
NRL officials defended the invitations, emphasizing that inviting the sitting U.S. president is standard practice and not politically motivated.
Criticism of the invitations stems from Trump's 2023 civil case liability for sexual abuse and White's 2023 nightclub altercation with his wife, which was captured on video.
Experts suggest the move may help the NRL's U.S. marketing efforts but warn of potential long-term damage to its reputation in Australia.