The American newspaper famous for one of the most memorable headlines in media history has run a 1000-word feature on Broncos star Patrick Carrigan in an indication the NRL is gaining some traction in the busiest sports market in the world.
Two months before the NRL kicks off its 2024 season in Las Vegas, the New York Post‘s veteran sports writer Steve Serby conducted an extensive Q and A with Carrigan.
The video and accompanying online piece covered Carrigan’s career to date, the Vegas venture and even his love for Subway before matches.
The story ran alongside articles on the NBA, NFL and MLB, giving the NRL valuable exposure ahead of the historic Manly v Souths/Brisbane v Roosters double header at Allegiant Stadium in early March.
The New York Post is the fourth most-read publication in the US, claiming to reach 90 million readers a month through its print and online platforms.
It is famous for its 1983 headline “Headless Body in Topless Bar”, covering a story of a grisly murder in a dingy strip club in Queens.
Serby dubbed Carrigan “the Brisbane Sinatra” for doing things his own way and urged American fans to look out for him when the Broncos take on the Roosters.
“Carrigan will be hard to miss with his charisma and his long hair and iron will to win championships for the hometown team he worshipped as a five-year-old boy,” Serby wrote.
“The 6-foot-3, 233-pound Carrigan, who turns 26 next month, plays lock, a second-row forward/enforcer in a sport that demands relishing contact and withstanding collisions.
Carrigan comes off as mature for his age, laughs and jokes easily, and incorporates Subway sandwiches as part of his routine.
Comfortable in his own skin, Carrigan almost sounds like the Brisbane Sinatra – because he likes to do things his way.
