I don't think you can equate drops last year to a pattern of decline.

In fact over the years of SL attendances at Saints are pretty much on a steady increase.

I have graphed it for all the current SL clubs. But when you even out the peaks and troughs Saints are definately going up.

Wigan does not show as big an increase. Wigans graph is in the shape of a stretch out m on a very slight increase, but over the years you could call it flat.

I don't see why the new structure would see a drop in fans, I think this is just another way for people who did not like the new structure to keep grinding their axe.

If you look at the votes for fans on this site and from the SL clubs, the votes is fairly split but with a slight number in favour.

The nay sayers argue that it should not go through on a majority. Effectively saying the minority should win the day as they are a large body.

McManus very +ve and stated the sky deal significantly more than the previous £120mill deal. Also details from the RFL and SKY may be released soon.

Saints Chairman Eamonn McManus stated:

"This is a triumph for our sport and in particular for its premier competition - Super League. It is certainly a total endorsement of the new league structure adopted for 2015 onwards. The new system will improve the competitiveness and quality of competition throughout the season and the new media valuation clearly recognises and reflects that unequivocally.

"At a stroke this ensures solvency for all Super League clubs for the foreseeable future and provides confidence to fans and sponsors in equal measure. They have a lot to look forward to as long as clubs take a disciplined and realistic approach to their cost bases.

"We at St.Helens have invested some £45 million in permanent equity investment over the last decade to cover operational deficits and the construction of our fantastic new stadium, Langtree Park, free of debt. It is therefore of great comfort to us that Sky have recognised the value of our sport and consequently the investment of its leading clubs.

"It has been very clear to me over this year that the senior executive of the RFL and of Super League have recognised the need for a new strategic and commercial direction for the benefit of all. That process and new focus has now been evidenced very clearly and leaves me confident that our game will continue to be an increasingly attractive proposition to players, spectators, sponsors and investors alike. The RFL are to be congratulated on a job very well done. Every level of rugby league and its supporter base will benefit greatly from the great strides forward that are being made.

"We have much indeed to look forward to."

I like to think of Nigel Wood doing this.

It does seem a decent increase on the face of it, although the exact split between the clubs and the time they will actually receive the money isn't that clear.

The only risk this deal seems to bring is the fact it's being pre-sold so early. This is a 5 year deal from 2016/7. It seems a decent deal now, but before this one kicks in Union will have signed a new deal and if their deal was for £500m it would make our deal look very modest. £500m isn't unrealistic, the last NRL deal was around £540m over 5 years I believe. But the SL owners have clearly looked at this and found it will secure the finances of the clubs, which given the fragile state of Bradford, London, Cas, Wakey and Hull KR (And probably many more) is probably more important than actually growing the sport over the short to medium term.

It's a great deal from sky, I can see why they gave us a take it or leave it deal, they'll be sick that RU went to BT, probably after stringing Sky along. We've nailed our colours to the sky mast and they're the biggest player out there. Personally I think BT may go the way of itv digital. Look what happened to championship football there. RU could find themselves nearly or completely bankrupt in a couple of years if BT go under.

Its very hard to pull a massive increase figure in one go, though, in any market. You need to do it step by step.
We've got an improved TV deal and a main sponsor for the league. The next step is to develop the various sponship deal to by more lucrative, probably with the sort of companies that the likes of rugby union seem to attract with ease.

How do you work out that average ticket price is £18???

With season tickets, children, pensioners and other discounts the average ticket revenue for most clubs is around £9 per ticket.

Really? West stand tickets are £22 adults/ £16 cons north stand £26/£20

BT are new to the world of sport through TV pay, but you have to know that they are twice the size in terms of market worth than sky. Also their revenues and profit blow sky's out of the water.

They wont go under, they may just fall away if they cant compete with Sky, if they can then Sky may se their subscriptions plummet. They hang onto the Premiership for dear life, lose that and sky are fecked.

The deal is good for RL, but it would be interesting to see if Big Nigel took the only offer on the table at this time.

BT are yes, but BT sport is a separate company, like itv digital was separate from itv , just incase they fail, they can simply fold it. Just like itv did with itv digital

Eamon certainly sounded upbeat about it on the radio last night, I just hope the RFL confirm the level of funding is what is rumoured on twitter. If thats the case, then it appears a good deal, especially in the current climate.

It thy will confirm it. It's a business deal so both sides will want to keep it as a rough estimate. Sky so it's difficult for competitors to have a base line to work from. The RFL to hedge competitors higher in the future.

In excess of the £200Million can be

£200,000,001

or

£299,000,000

That gives both sides something to work on in future negotiations.

It also keeps it vague for when internationals and CC deals come up.

Any non football sport that BT secure automatically suffers from a reduction in importance within the media and is "hidden away" more than any SKY sport.

For a game with as little coverage as we have, BT would have been an unmitigated disaster - let alone the fact that SKY would have then done as little as possible for the next three years to help the game.

According to Koukash, £300k a year more to SL clubs. Not the sort of increases we were hoping for if true.

Rising to 600k more per year from 2017, the 300k is an immediate raise. From 2017 the TV deal will cover the salary cap.