Quote: wrencat1873 "Just to put this into context. What sort of French TV contract have Catalan managed and how much is it worth.
I realise that they have been in SL since 2006 but are we really suggesting that Canada or The US are going to contribute significant sums of cash to add RL to their sporting portfolio ?'"
I believe the Catalan deal is worth zero as far as payment to Catalan is concerned - there is probably some value to Sky as they get a game free by swapping a couple of their own I believe and Catalan probably get better sponsorship off the back of it. But in terms of cash value of the rights, its nil.
I'm very much pro expansion, and want more French teams certainly, and North American teams in the game. However they do need to add value, whether that is in terms of player development or financial return (TV deal) or both. Otherwise they are taking players away from UK clubs and offering little back.
I'd accept Canada 2, New York and Toulouse in to the mix, as to have a paying TV deal off the back of 1 club in a territory is unrealistic, but to grow this number further, they need to offer a TV deal - otherwise they are a player drain.
To grow the sport we need to get to the point where we have a UK, North American & French TV deal coming in to the pot.