Quote: wrencat1873 "The elephant in the room is, how on earth do "we" fund 20 clubs ?
Right now, there are 12 SL clubs and only 2 or 3 contenders in The Championship, plus, the "sleeping giant" that is Bradford.
IMO there will be a drive to reduce SL to 10 clubs, which has been nuted many times.
It may be "sold" on the basis of having SL 1 & SL2 but, this just isn't possible with the reduction in Sky monies.
Unless there is another broadcaster out there that is willing to "compete" with Sky, as a sport, we looked screwed.'"
The move to change the second tier from an RFL Championship to a Superleague second division does not involve professionalising the "Superleague 2" competition.
I have no doubt if rich owners in that second tier wish to pay for professionalism themselves that will be allowed as you can't stifle ambition nor stop a second tier club readying itself for a tilt at Superleague One.
But I see no plan to share the SKY money 20 ways, it's very clear to me the drop to 10 means the 10 Superleague 1 clubs will get all the TV funding because the top division will provide SKY with top class content.
The plan is to remove the RFL from controlling the division that will provide promoted clubs to Superleague one, leaving Superleague fully in charge of P & R.