LAURIE Daley’s NSW Blues have a new dream — to become a global sports juggernaut as powerful as the New York Yankees and Manchester United.

The first step in taking the Blues brand to the world came on Wednesday with league bosses finalising a deal to buy the Blatchy’s Blues fan club.

The passionate fan base — believed to be purchased by the NSWRL for around $400,000 — will be at the heart of a new membership system to be rolled out in coming months.

media_camera NSW Origin greats with coach Laurie Daley and Dan Blatchy.

NSWRL chief executive David Trodden revealed plans to tap into the celebrity power of Blues fans such as Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, former F1 driver Mark Webber, surf champion Mick Fanning and Socceroo Tim Cahill to go global.

He also raised the prospect of an Origin game being played overseas.

“If the game continues to grow, then the (ARL) commission must look at taking a game offshore to compete with the likes of the All Blacks’ matches in Hong Kong and Chicago,’’ he said.

The long-term plan for the Blues is to build a brand with the global reach of Manchester United, which was valued by Forbes this year as being worth US$2.8 billion.

With the Penrith Panthers brand recently rated as the most valuable sports brand in Australia at $46 million, league bosses believe the Blues could one day be worth well over $100 million. The Yankees was valued by Forbes to be worth US$2.5 billion.

media_camera The Blues are hoping to become a global brand.

State of Origin games are already broadcast in 90 countries.

Describing the Blues as a “sleeping giant of world sports”, Mr Trodden said Jarryd Hayne’s bid to become an NFL star would also generate more attention for league.

“The lesson from Man U is that fans want to be part of the family, with the stars, and for the NSW VB Blues to finally move towards a membership program is going to open that door no matter where you are from in the world,’’ he said.

“Sports lovers throughout the world have seen Blatchys Blues fill our stadiums but now it won’t just be our wonderful supporters from throughout NSW who can become members but also those who love rugby league in Europe, Asia, the US, Pacific or Middle East.’’

Daley said his players were inspired by the plans to “dream big”.

“We all need to have dreams and why shouldn’t we think about we can attract more supporters to the Blues and rugby league?’’ he said.

Blues legends such as Brad Fittler and Anthony Minichiello, who joined in a promotional photo shoot, would also appear at special events for members in Australia and overseas.

For Blatchy Blues founder Dan Blatch, the deal caps a 15-year adventure which was sparked when he and some mates wore blue wigs to a 1999 Origin match on his 18th birthday.

The “club” uses Facebook to mobilise fans, who buy tickets for Origin in seats specially reserved for Blatchy’s Blues.

In 2012, the crew claimed a Guinness World Record for the most people wearing wigs in a single venue when 12,083 fans joined in the fun at the second State of Origin match at ANZ Stadium.

“I’ve loved the Blues all my life ... it’s fantastic to see the way it’s grown,’’ said Blatch, who will now bow out to focus on his financial planning business.

Sports businessman Dan Zammit, who has helped Blatch build his hobby into a business, will oversee the membership program for the NSWRL.

“It’s great to see our dream and vision get the proper backing it deserves,” Zammit said.