I don't think RL itself, as a game, is any danger.

What's up for debate is really how it operates at a professional level. What we have now appears not sustainable over the longer term and whether tinkering with licensing, higher, lower or no salary cap, or even P&R is the answer are all fair questions. For me, the biggest problem is that we have only one fully pro league, simply because this prevents any kind of orderly up and down movement between the divisions.

I appreciate this is similar to the position of the premier league in soccer but [iwe[/i don't have the squillions to bandy about with parachute payments etc to be paid to clubs moving from one financial planet to another - in fact, over the years most clubs leaving SL have conveniently gone bust. Fortunately it doesn't cost vast amounts to re-start at a semi-pro level, which is how clubs have continued.

For what it's worth I agree that we shouldn't allow big financial muscle to take advantage, but we do need them to come in, if maybe with a slightly more altruistic view of things. Trouble is the big 'money men' are not usually the best when it comes to seeing all sides, and tend to want to control things and are only too used to being top dog and having the final word. We need them in RL, but they must be controlled and definitely not allowed out of control.

Rumours on twitter that the RFL are expected to announce our licence has been extended to end of 2014. Good news, can start signing some players up.

From the T&A:

Meanwhile, the RFL are poised to confirm that the Bulls' Super League licence has been extended until the end of 2014.

The announcement could be made early this week, giving the Bulls the green light to begin planning for next year on and off the field.

Still no word on this licence. I am getting twitchy, are we about to be stitched up once again? May 1st now very close!

May 1st is an important date for us in terms of other clubs being able to talk to our OOC players (like they dont before then anyway !). But it has no importance to RFL in terms of making the license decision. they never set a date on which they would make a decision, although they do seem to be dragging their heels now.

Bump for a tweet by Ross H earlier tonight:

Ross Heppenstall ‏@rosshtanda

Some very positive news regarding the Bulls in tomorrow's T&A...

Quote: Nothus "Bump for a tweet by Ross H earlier tonight Indeed. Licence granted for 2014! Good news. www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... 4_licence/

Quote: Nothus "Bump for a tweet by Ross H earlier tonight Indeed. Licence granted for 2014! Good news. www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... 4_licence/

Er, no it hasn't. Half our money is gone, and each of the other clubs is again taking and keeping a slice of that



We didn't inherit [ithat[/i bit of tightness, though, did we? I wonder how many other clubs would cope with losing half their distribution for a second year?

I'm not surprised that it isn't commented on, the Bulls obviously had no real choice in the matter, so spilt milk etc. but in effect our "real" salary cap is a huge slice less than everyone else's. We and they would all do well to remember that when assessing results against the Wigans and Warringtons of the other world.

It would be good to hear from the RFL why the money is being held back for a second year.

Like the way solly said 'like all clubs cash flow is right'. Be a bit tighter at other clubs and considerably improved at Bradford if half our sky allocation wasn't being distributed to the other 13 clubs.

I've not seen it confirmed it's going to the other clubs, unlike last year where the quotes stated the clubs had decided to split it. Maybe the RFL will find a better use for it that wouldn't make it seem so much like a bribe to retain our SL place. Mind you even if they did the chances of them telling anyone what's happening to the money aren't good given their silence on this years distribution.

I have always said the RFL were blackmailing us with the Sky money, they cant get a sponsor for SL so they have to get the cash from somewhere.
OK and GS need a big pat on the back along with the other members of staff for getting us to this stage in our great clubs history all we need now is a good show this year and increased ticket sales for next season.
COYB

As said at the forum, the deduction was always intended to be a full year of Sky money - the fact it was done in two halves was a favour to us [no, really].

Not really sure how they could have intended to let us pay half in the second season when they hadn't even [officially] decided we were going to get a second season, but it must be put down to the RFL being consistent, I guess. Though it could be that the left hand etc, etc

That was the deal.