Channel Seven hopes to jump aboard the Jarryd Hayne bandwagon after the free-to-air television station reportedly entered into negotiations with the NFL over covering San Francisco 49ers games next season.
Hayne, the Australian former NRL star, is thought to have put himself in a good position to win a place on the 49ers’ roster for the 2015-16 season after two scintillating performances in recent pre-season games.
His code-hopping journey from Parramatta to San Francisco has captured the imagination of a nation, and Channel Seven is keen to cash in on his success, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.
The Seven network has rights to show three regular-season NFL games every week, but it is keen to thrash out a deal with the NFL that could focus more specifically on San Francisco matches, the report said.
“We’re obviously aware of the great interest in Jarryd and we’re expecting an answer from the NFL in next few days,” Seven told the Telegraph.
Any deal would presumably depend on Hayne securing a full-time contract with the 49ers, who will finalise their 53-man roster after playing two final practice matches against the Denver Broncos on Saturday and the San Diego Chargers on 3 September.
Hayne has been in training with the 49ers’ 90-man practice squad since March and made a big impression in his first proper outing against the Houston Texans earlier this month, leading the 49ers in rushing yards and kick-off returns.
He backed up that debut with an equally, if not more impressive, display in his second outing, against the Dallas Cowboys last weekend. The former Australia rugby league international returned punts for gains of 27, 34 and 23 yards before turning his hand to running-back duties, carrying the ball eight times for a game-high 54 yards.
His performances have sparked a feverish interest in the US, where his No 38 jerseys have already gone on sale, and attracted praise from the highest quarters. NFL great John Madden has been vocal in his admiration and said, “Right now, I think he has to make the team.”
The 49ers kick off their regular season against the Minnesota Vikings on 14 September. Should Hayne not make the final cut in San Francisco, there remains the possibility he could be snapped up by other NFL teams.
