Karl Stefanovic buys a stake in the NRL's American competition - and backs one of the game's biggest stars to be the face of new league

The NRL's ambitious push into the United States is gathering serious momentum with Channel Nine's star presenter Karl Stefanovic investing in a proposed 'NRL America' competition to launch in 2025.

On top of his investment, the media personality has also backed Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh to become the face of the USA competition once they see him play in the historic NRL opening round in Las Vegas on March 2.

Walsh was dubbed 'the Justin Bieber of rugby league' by ARLC boss Peter V'Landys in the lead up to the NRL grand final last year and now he will be the poster boy for push to gain traction in the US market. 

Stefanovic is a passionate Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons fan and he believes Walsh will also attract the attention of NFL scouts when he lights up Allegiant Stadium on March 2.

NRL America is set to become a reality after a private consortium approached V'Landys about the possibility of a $23million, 10-team competition in the United States to kick off in 2025. 

Steve Scanlan, head of the Rugby League America consortium, is scheduled to formally present the proposal to the ARL Commission next Sunday. 

Stefanovic, now venturing into rugby league's American dream, aims to play a pivotal role in the potential expansion of the sport in the United States.

'I've bought into the concept with my personal Brisbane lawyer Daniel Hannay,' Stefanovic told News Corp.

'He rang me (about the US Super League concept) and I said, 'Yes' in a heartbeat,' Stefanovic continued.

'I'll do anything to promote the greatest game in the world.

'Peter V'landys is a genius … this concept will work.'

Walsh said the NRL may have work to do to retain Walsh, though, saying the NRL double header in Vegas could lead to an NFL switch.

'You can quote me on this … Reece Walsh is the guy most likely to light up the US agents come Sunday,' Stefanovic said.

'It's super hard to transition to the NFL, but Walsh has got it.

'And he's young enough.'

Scanlan said the competition could proceed without NRL support, but preliminary talks with the V'Landys had been 'positive'.

'We could certainly do this without the NRL, but if the NRL was to come on board, the synergies and partnership opportunities would be enormous for the game in America and lend an amount of legitimacy to what we are doing,' he said.

'We are absolutely open to the competition being called NRL America if the NRL wanted to be a part of it.'

V'landys stressed the talks were preliminary.

'I wouldn't rule it out (the NRL backing an American league) absolutely, but we need competent people who want to drive it,' he said.

'We can't do everything. We would need people on the ground with the drive and passion to run an American NRL competition.'