True

I suppose any expansion in France all relies on a good salesman being able to convince a TV Broadcaster to pay big money for TV rights, without that there's no chance of a professional league. Without good money there is no incentive for young French people to choose League over Union.

With French Union clubs paying stupid money for players, its a tougher battle than it is over here.

Catalan would have to give up about eu$1.75 million a year of funding...unless they were to be given this by the new league. Then add the other 7 teams and you have a $14,000,000 a year requirement from TV, before you even kicj a ball. I can't see the Dragons jumping ship for anything less than a 5 year guarantee, so there's eu$70,000,000 to start with.
Then you have to promote it, ensure the lower divisions are not totally excluded, have a development plan for player development, self sustainabillity etc.....

I reckon there would need to be in the region of eu$200,000,000 needed for the first 5 years of this comp....as well as 8 really rich benefactors willing to match that level of investment.....so eu$2,500,000 each per year over 5 years with no assurances that you will ever see a cent of that money back.

So, it's simple really, a TV company willing to take a eu$70,000,000 punt and 8 nutters each with $12,500,000 to spend over 5 years for no return....as well as another $30,000,000 in sponsorship and merchandising revenues....

...I can't believe nobody has thought of it before hand

If your figures are correct or even close, then its pretty much an impossible task / dream. It does frustrate me that with such a great product the game of rugby league cannot market itself better, be it here or in France. I don't have the answers but do have the desire to see the game flourish and expand where it can be sustained.

if the figures from GF are only half accurate this venture will never take place with the Catalan set up, maybe thier second team though ?

'moneymen' ren't usually that stupid - they are either able to make it tick over like at Leeds or knowingly make big losses like at London just for the sake of it

no one has mentioned the lack of fans - what's the point of a fully pro team at Nantes or Valenciennes playing in front of 1000 people ?

even Montpellier, in the RL heartlands would be lucky to attract 2000 for their home games

Luckily I don't take offence easily

I would love to see RL get a strong foothold in France.....but without proper foundations, it's really all pie in the sky.

Anyone remember the European League for American Football....LOADS of TV dosh.......didn't all the teams end up in Germany (where the US airbases were)?