The
Super League war was the corporate dispute that was fought in and out of court during the mid-1990s between the
Rupert Murdoch and
News Corporation-backed
Super League (Australia) and the
Kerry Packer and
Optus Vision-backed
Australian Rugby League organisations over broadcasting rights for, and ultimately control of the top-level professional
rugby league football competition of Australasia. After much court action from the already-existing ARL to prevent it from happening, Super League ran one premiership season parallel to the ARL's in 1997 after signing enough clubs disenchanted with the traditional administration to do so. At the conclusion of that season a peace deal was reached and both Leagues united to form the
National Rugby League of today.