Do you have any evidence from Sky saying this?

The argument that Sky would prefer Bradford, Leigh or Widnes in SL over TW or Toulouse seems to be based on the suggestion that there is huge latent demand from people in those towns for Sky Sports, if only those clubs were in SL.

Do you seriously believe that there is a significant proportion of existing and potential RL fans in those areas who, despite being willing and able to subscribe to Sky Sports, currently don't because Bradford, Widnes and/or Leigh aren't in SL? A big enough pool of people to make or break a TV deal? I think it's utterly fanciful to believe that.

Sky is not out only potential customer when it comes to TV rights. We had a deal with BeIn, until the great negotiator Elstone stuck his oar in.

They will however cost each club a decent slice of cash.

To take a full squad + associated staff to Toronto for 3/4 days isn't going to come cheap.
Certainly a trip (for Wire) to Widnes on a Friday night will be a hell of a lot less than travelling halfway around the planet for 80 mins of RL.

I'm sure that "we" have thought forward all of the scenarios for a successful Toronto and just like Catalan, they will be immune to the short notice fixture changes and Thursday nights, that affect all of the other clubs in SL.

You rightly say that they aren't taking a slice of the Sky money but, IIRC, they (Toronto) were expecting to line up a TV deal, which seems to have gone with the wind and of all of the clubs in SL they will be most reliant on their consortium pumping in $millions every season to keep the ship afloat.
With their squad spend, especially with the SBW contract, they will be spending at an unsustainable rate but, tat is of course their prerogative.

Although I dont think that they belong in a "European" competition, I'm looking forward to seeing them both home and away, although the trip over there will be a "one off", rather than a regular thing.
Trips to Frances are peanuts compared to Toronto and beyond the means of most RL fans, which is a real shame.
Fundamentally, it still seems crazy to try and spread the game to a new continent 3500 miles away, when the UK "market" remains untapped.

OK, so let's all play in empty stadiums then and save the clubs some money!!!

I'm sure SKY or another broadcaster would continue to fund a sport that had no physical fans attending

Re the TV deal, it wouldn't seem essential they sign one right away. Who knows, maybe they'll capture the imagination and be offered one next year. Not nailed on, granted. Then again, there was also a lot of expectation that Elstone would be lining up a good deal for the other 11 clubs. We may yet find our own clubs need a financial defibrillating if the rumours are to be believed.

It would be crazy to try spread the game 3500 miles away. But fact is, the European game has barely lifted a finger and has had TWP dropped into its lap. The economics are such that it'll either sink or swim; no halfway house here where we're left with a ghost club that limps along once the serious money has run out.

Any evidence of BeIn's intersest?

Pretty sure he is talking about Catalan Dragons. Elstone demanded more money and they walked away.

Bein won't step into the UK market unless they can win premiership football rights. They were tempted a few years ago but decided not to bid.

thanks

The serious money runs into thousands of $$Millions that increases as more potash is extracted from Brazilian mines. The $5 million plus a year that backs Toronto Wolfpack goes on as long as the owner goes on. You could say the same for Huddersfield or any club who is dependent on a sub from the owner.

The rumours don't trump the reality that a SKY deal is lined up, the reality is how much will it be? Last time the massive increase was given to us to cut BT's legs from under them and secure Rugby League for SKY for several years more. SKY want the game,...all they are saying is don't expect as much next time.

Out of the £200M last time only about 65% was for Superleague. A lot of money was wasted on the Championship to set up the MPG and spread monies to all clubs. Superleague are clear they will take all the money this time, so Superleague clubs will in the end preside over a reduced contract, but the SL clubs will not get a reduced amount. The championship will take a massive hit though.....

The 2 + 2 = 5 rumours don't understand the detail. They think if we get £150M this time it will be a disaster. If all that money goes just to Superleague then SL clubs will be on more TV money this time (and one again Championship clubs will get nowt this time). Also note the heavy hints and moves to create a 10 club SL 2022....a 1/10th. share of the TV money will be bigger than a 1/12th share as well

The future of Rugby League is not France, it is not North America, it is an English TV deal for English clubs. Why do people think Perez is behind a desk in Bradford (and not Ottawa) answering to Nigel Wood?

Sky don't care what teams are in Super League. They would only care about viewership numbers and ratings. Correct me if I am wrong but I think Toronto rate well on Tv. That's all Sky and other broadcasters care about.

Apologies, double post

I agree that Sky aren't bothered about the sport or about any clubs in particular and their interest is having something to fill their schedules and generating revenue for their business.
I'm interested in your comment that Toronto "rate well" and whether this is English viewers or overseas viewers.
As for a stand alone deal in Canada (or France), I just dont get the "math", unless RL has truly been embraced by the N. American (or French) public.
Although it wont bother the advertisers, the numbers of "dodgy" sky viewers, who are paying a fraction of the full subscription could have a massive effect on our sports value to them.
I know of only one person who pays full price on Sky, with all the rest viewing "from overseas" and whilst I fully understand why people do this, it's taking $millions from Sky's pockets.