Quote: bramleyrhino "Why are the clubs always forgiven in this argument? The clubs are the ones that are responsible for promoting themselves, for expanding their own audiences, engaging new supporters, enhancing their appeal to corporate audiences and selling tickets and merchandise.
We have clubs arguing that the Super 8s makes it "impossible" to sell events, even though some clubs had 16 days+ between the S8 fixtures being announced and their first home game. We have clubs devaluing the sport by making entire fixtures free of charge, and we have clubs that simply nobody wants to go and watch. And we have clubs 'raffling' their stadium and sports sponsorship as if it's a meat hamper at a working mens club. None of that is the fault of the RFL.
The more we keep using the RFL as a lightning rod for these problems, the worse this problem will get.'"
Biting the hand that feeds if you’re critical of your benefactor, and fans have an affection for their clubs that they lack for the RFL.
I don’t think the RFL has done a great job in recent years, but i do think they’re given a lot more responsibility than authority, and they do make a good lightening rod. Criticism of them not forcing clubs to have reserve teams being a good recent example.