Away fans and expansion

Quote: HucknallLoiner "I’m a Leeds fan an not going to the semi. Partly because of prior arrangements the day before and partly because I don’t feel excited about it and don’t think they’ll compete.

The argument about away supporters is not a strong one. When in Oz recently I asked about the high profile of league compared to the high attendances of Aussie Rules. The answer was AFL was better to watch live as it’s such a bit field the cameras can’t take it in but RL is better suited to TV so people want to watch it hence the TV money.

Our only real chances of TV money are through France and North America as unfortunately promoting a Cumbrian or Yorkshire team to SL does not broaden the TV viewing figures or demographic.
Away fans revenue whilst detracting from the at game experience pale into insignificance compared to the potential TV money.
That does not mean we should drop the heartlands but it does mean we need the new markets. Hopefully the success after the 2005 (? Not sure if it was then) union World Cup success and the growth in the UK would back this up to a certain extent.
We need the international game!'"

But it isn't. If you look at the already established sports in America (professional, college)they have already have the TV rights of the major networks. For RL to do anything will take years of ground work and are we prepared to give them that time? And the money won't go to all the SL clubs ala sky, just the American clubs. And in the end who do you think the American networks would want to shown dallas v LA or Dallas v Wigan? And that's simply because the figures watching would be more for the all American game so they can make more revenue of ads etc.
And if RL was more than just a foothold in France, it would be on a bigger French chanel than Al-Jazzeria (spelling). And seeing as sky don't have a market or spellers dishes in either country it's not in there interest for a major move tto these country's.

RU has a strong base so any changes can have a minimal impact. We don't, hence any changes tend to be of an all or nothing nature which will always have all bigger impact on the sport.

As for CC and Magic weekend. 2 things impact attendances. 1) the same teams tend to be in the final so neutral fans are more picky. When Hull beat Warrington it's the 1st time they'd won at Wembley so of course more fans will not have been as bothered of missing last year's final for other commitments. The timing, the CC final is to close to the GF and with the economy and jobs as they are, most people can't afford to do both (same with MW for the full weekend ), hence crowds being down. Plus the Convoluted Fixture list at magic doesn't help it (there are 2 other Hull derbies in Hull, why am I going to travel 100 miles to see the same game with less atmosphere). Add in the fact both are losing there shine and figure will drop regardless of who's playing.

As for the away fan question, it depends on if you go or not and on you (I'm slightly biased as I support a team that does have an anyway following). If you go , then personally I want away fans there.to improve the atmosphere, the banter etc. If your watching on TV then it doesn't really matter, as I'm sure Catalans/Toulouse/Toronto prefer away fans. But that should never be a major issue but an added bonus.

I've said since I first come on this site we need to improve the international calendar and game.
After all what attracts markets/tv/media more. A sport that has a strong international scene (And people are all ways interested in how England do not matter what the sport). Or a sport that about clubs.