Watkins becomes a non-executive director of UK rugby league's governing body and is believed to have come on board to aid in negotiations regarding a new TV rights contract when the existing deal with pay-TV platform BSkyB expires at the end of next season.
Said Richard Lewis, the RFL's executive chairman: "It's taken us quite a while to appoint our third non-executive director but I think it's been worth the wait. Sports law is an evolving industry in its own right which governing bodies must beup to speed with and Maurice is operating at the cutting edge."
Watkins also serves a member of the Premier League's legal working party and is on UEFA's panel of external legal experts.
Maurice Watkins, director at Manchester United and experienced sports lawyer, has joined the board of the Rugby Football League.
