I think I'm right in saying the TV deal expires at the end of this season?

Some interesting facts
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A significant increase in the Aussie NRL TV rights deal (from 2013) is planned which will (if reports are correct) lead to a massive hike in the salary cap over there ($7M or about £4m per year) as clubs will be able to afford to service higher wage bills based on the new TV deal.

Its plain to see that if the RFL fail to get a significant rise in the new TV deal, there will be no scope to increase the salary cap in the UK. If we arent able to increase it then there is a high risk we will begin to see the demise of the sport in this country. We will see a sharp increase in leading UK talent going to OZ, we will be unable to attract top class Aussie talent and Union converts.

It is absolutely vital that the TV rights deal delivers significant increased revenue to our clubs - the RFL need to get top class assistance in the negotiatiion process, or the game will suffer badly.

I think your looking at this the wrong way to be honest. From what it seems, ESPN and Sky have a very good relationship. ESPN are smart and not doing what Setanta did and that was instead of working with Sky Sports they tried to go against them. Nobody is gonna beat the biggest Sports Broadcaster in Europe!

It is more likely that ESPN and Sky would get a split deal working together. Now the clubs and RFL wouldnt want this as it will mean less money.



BBC has dropped Football League coverage for 2011/2012 season. They showd no interest in any kind of live or highlights package.

Dont think i disagree with you. In fact that was similar to the point I was making, just the opposite way round. No sponsor or advertiser is going to be swayed an even smaller percentage of the audience switching on because Wakefield are playing instead of Crusaders.

Crusaders are part of the expansion in to Wales, they are part of something much bigger than themselves and acting as the pinnacle of the welsh RL pyramid. Whilst in and of itself the 4/5k going in Wrexham is only a small part of what the RFL can take to the broadcasters, the much broader, wider and bigger growth of the game in Wales (and other areas) is an important aspect.

AG Barr(Irn Bru) -- not even third tier?
International brand,well established name,1000+ employees,turnover £200m+.

Thats nearly as funny as your BMW example.

Yes, compare AG Barr to McDonalds, Coca-cola, Barclays, Molson-Coors, Natwest, Diageo, Aviva, Nationwide, Vauxhall, Ford, RBS, total, DHL, UPS, Allianz, Carlsberg, Samsung who are all heavily involved in sport in this country and it looks kind to describe AG Barr as 3rd tier.

www.skysports.com/opinion/story/ ... 36,00.html

www.skysports.com/opinion/story/ ... 36,00.html