Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont challenged NRL executive chair V'landys over the proposed agreement with Super League.
"Giving a deadline on something you want that the other side cannot commit to is a gun to the head approach akin to a ransom," Beaumont posted on X.
He said he opposed V'landys' negotiating process, not expansion, and lacked the trust needed to hand him control of the game.
The agreement missed its Thursday deadline, set before the 2026 Rugby League World Cup began, leaving Super League's future uncertain.
Code Sports reports that the NRL has paused discussions until next year, when a deal for 2028 may be reconsidered.
September reports described a five-year proposal worth $57 million; almost every Super League club supported it, but the competition's leadership appeared hesitant.
V'landys made London Broncos' entry into Super League a condition, seeing the club as central to his vision for the competition.