Quote Khlav Kalash="Khlav Kalash"Seems to me existing RL fans are generally only interested in whats happening on the pitch, everything else is superfluous. '"
That's probably because that's the only market the clubs and the RFL really cater for. We originally had Bull/Cougar Mania, but our idea of any sort of "fan park" these days seems to be having that prick from Rugby AM shouting at people from the back of a trailor.
Quote Khlav KalashI go to games 30 mins before ko then leave when it's finished, I wouldn't pay more for what the NFL offers on top of that (even if I was inclined to watch the dull as dishwater action) and I guess that's the issue. RL fans know the value of everything when it comes to RL but will quite happily be swayed by flashy lights for another sport. Partly the fault of the RFL for cheapening everything.'"
You might not be interested in that thing, but the fact that the NFL has sold more than 250,000 tickets for three events (and probably could have sold more), suggests that there is a market for that sort of thing.
Now if the clubs and RFL decide that those people are a market that they want, they need to find a way to cater to those demands and market a product that appeals to those people. If it isn't, then I'd be interested to see what markets they do want.
But it sort of links back to my point above about who this sport is talking and listening to. We already cater to the "I want to go to the game and go home" diehard crowd, but that clearly isn't enough. The clubs and the RFL cannot just keep listening to those people who do buy the product, and neglect the swathes of audiences out there who don't but could be tempted to part with their leisure dollar. The RFL and certain clubs in particular are at the point where they has been stuck on this treadmill of discounts for so long that, when it comes to asking for full price, we don't have any added value to offer - and that's reflected in ticket sales.
It doesn't even have to be that expensive. Just find the right formula for the right product at the right price point.