Quote: SmokeyTA "i honestly worry for Bradford. It gives me no pleasure in saying it but i think we could be in the final stages of the long slow death of pro RL in Bradford.
Odsal is a huge millstone for an SL club, it is far too big a weigh to carry in the championship. Bradford will get less TV funding, far less sponsorship, much lower crowds, and lower merchandise sales in the lower leagues, They arent going to have the money to spend on a dominant squad, it will be virtually impossible, without incurring large losses, for them to put on a team better than 12th in SL to get back up.
You also have a squad that needs rebalancing, you will have a players on pretty decent SL level wages, as well as some not so great names who are on far more than championship players. Thats not a criticism, simply a fact of operating at a full time, fully pro level rather than semi-pro.
It will also be virtually impossible for them to run an SL level academy, and even more difficult for them to keep the best prospects from Hudds and Leeds as a lower league club.
Bradford are in a bit of a spiral right now, P+R and the dumbass system which is being implemented is exacerbating it. Marc Green isnt a fan or a white knight who came to rescue Bradford, he is a businessman who is doing the best to cover his investment. He isnt likely to plow money in to rescue the situation.'"
I don't fully agree with you.
Bradford will no doubt have the largest crowd figure in next seasons championship. A parachute payment will ensure a full time squad.
The marketing should be simple enough as you will no doubt have a winning team, the championship will be broadcast on sky and you will definitely be involved in the end of season 8 team Superleague 2 play offs, which will get huge exposure as it is the first time it's been done.
I think a season in the championship will give the bulls time to breathe after the last few seasons of turmoil. Oh and I am looking forward to our local derby at the shay.