Lewis and Wood in my opinion have stagnated the game and we need better more profession able people on board.
I agree with Saddened that the situation is precarious, if all the backers who bankroll the clubs pull out then we would probably end up a Superleague of 3 (Leeds, Wigan and Hull) back to the pre Lewis days of an uncompetitive Superleague.
Lewis and Wood have failed on the franchise system, have failed on reducing the overseas quota to produce home grown talent, have failed on referring standards, have failed on expanding the professional game nationally, have failed on sponsorship to raise the profile of our sport.
Who would have thought it we advertise our game on the side of "some" Stobart lorries outside the public window, can compete with a team of 10 overseas players, showcase our game expansion weekend in Manchester.

So since they came on board, there has been no development of progression at all? Really?

Why is that Lewis and Wood's faults? It's the same in any pro sport. You're just picking anything now. If anything, it's good that the sport is in a place to attract such investors.

So they've failed on a franchise system that has forced clubs to improve standards? They've failed to reduce the overseas quota despite putting a new system in place that will eventually get us around the Kolpak ruling (that effectively meant it was unlimited before) once all the exceptions have retired (can't break the law can we). There are more players eligible and being talked about for international honours now than ever. There are three additional semi-pro clubs with four more to come. They have successfully expanded into Europe professionally (only administration to do this).

But yeah, the game hasn't moved since they came in. In fact it's gone backwards

Why is it do difficult for some people to understand that viewing figures aren't the be-all and end-all of TV deals and sponsorship?

I have far more faith in Richard Lewis and the other board members than I do with Saddened and some of the flat-cappers that would have us return to "the glory years".

As for media savvy, Maurice Watkins (RFL board member) is also a director of Manchester United, among others and was heavily involved in the launch of MUTV, so please don't think the board of the RFL didn't have the expertise to secure the best deal available.

In 2003, there were reports in the press about the then top five clubs breaking away from Superleague and forming their own league, following the same press reporting that the RFL were about to be shafted by Sky. The RFL board came back from the negotiations with an improved deal. There was a long thread on this very board about the deal and IIRC the vast majority of the more lucid contributors had faith in the RFL to secure a deal to benefit the game as a whole. Fath that was ultimately rewarded.

(E)