The NRL is believed to be on the brink of landing legendary performer Tina Turner to become the voice, face and pop personality of the league once again.
The 2021 season will be the 30th anniversary since Turner's 'Simply the Best' became the anthem of rugby league, and it can be revealed that leading influences within the league are in ongoing talks with her long-time manager Roger Davies, in hope of landing 79-year-old performer.
If the league and Turner's party come to an agreement, Turner is expected to feature in a lavish marketing campaign that would include recorded voiceovers to celebrate the anniversary.
While Turner rarely features within the public domain and remains hidden from the media, the NRL hopes she will come down under for the occasion.
But the pop-sensation still remains relevant across the globe, with The Tina Turner Musical currently showing in New York having already stunned fans at the West End in London and will come to Sydney next year.
Turner is still admired across the league, with Turner first introduced to the NRL in 1989 with another hit, 'What You Get Is What You See'.
NSWRL general manager John Quayle bought the rights to that hit in 1988 and couldn't find the right personality to sing it before Turner showed up.
Quayle then managed to convince major sponsor Winfield to poor an extravagant bid to secure Turner and ignite the relationship between the league and one of the world's most revered stars.
The NSWRL looked to attract a new demographic with the league facing a downfall, and Quayle locked in Turner in hope of survival.
Quayle planned on making the campaign the league-leading asset, locking in Gavin Miller and Cliff Lyons as features in the ad.
“When Tina walked into the freezing cold dressing-room, Cliffy couldn’t speak,” Quayle recalled.
The campaign became an instant hit for fans and the league nationwide. It had become a revolutionary for Australian sports and entertainment relations.
Quayle soon found himself in a LA recording studio listening to Turner perform 'Simply the Best'.
“I knew straight away that it would work,” Quayle said.
Turner was soon signed to the league for five years, becoming the voice of Rugby League in Australia.
Turner was soon campaigning on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with Jimmy Barnes and eventually opened the 1993 Grand Final.