Rugby league was the only sport played the day Diana died – because of Richard Branson
When news first broke that Princess Diana had been tragically killed in a car accident in Paris in the early hours of August 31, 1997, one of the first responses from a nation numb with grief was to cancel sport across the United Kingdom.
The Brisbane Broncos had taken control of the London Crusaders in 1994 and, by August 1997, they’d become a force in the Super League competition. The club was also well-supported by London newspapers owned by Rupert Murdoch, who bankrolled the Super League in the UK and, that season, in Australia.As someone who made a fortune shunning “The Establishment”, who flatly refused to wear a necktie, he instantly fell in love with what he saw.Sport as entertainment was his kind of sport. He declined an offer to join the Manchester United board and became a director at the Broncos instead.
By lunchtime, the Premier League had cancelled the only match scheduled that day between Liverpool and Newcastle at Anfield. “There were no cheerleaders, no bands, no music,” Maranta said. “And then, out of nowhere, Richard decided he would provide a eulogy.” The Broncos also featured flying England winger Martin “Chariots” Offiah who had been selected at the insistence of Branson himself despite concerns about Offiah’s defence in such an important match.
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