22 super league seasons and one side has won over a third of them, (leeds of course) catch up every one

I fear for the future of the game if some middle ground can’t be found. I agree with sentiments from both sides.

The TV viewing and attendance figures for the “super” 8’s demonstrate that the system is not working (personally I quite like it) and we need a change. 14 teams & 1 up/1 down seems the most viable option at present.

The argument fundamentally comes down to funding. I understand the point that the majority of the sports money comes from SL and agree that the RFL’s marketing and management of it is poor, at the same time SL clubs have to share the blame as in most cases their marketing and management has also been poor.

I think the lack of regular internationals and a fixed international calendar is really holding the sport back. Football aside, if you look at sports like RU and Cricket the international game is where the money comes from, it’s what creates the interest and attracts sponsors & TV money. SL talk about growing the sport from the top, imo the top is the international game.

Agree with all of that. However, the difference with cricket and RU, compared to RL, is that there are a far greater number of genuine national and International sides so, they can go for a centrally funded national side and play decent numbers of competitive games.
We have only 3 "tier 1" sides and after that, the games would be just too one sided or, for tier 2 sides, just not at a high enough level.
Therefore we are left with the 4 nations and the occasional tour to try and generate interest at a level above the domestic game.
There are still huge issues with media interest/exposure and when you can see bill boards with Nat West sponsored women's cricket, you know just how far down the pecking order we are.

Ok, here's a simple reason why the structure should change.

We need to entice new people into the sport. People outside RL do not understand the 8s format and don't understand loop fixtures.

Go to 1 up, 1 down 14 clubs. Make it simple for new people to understand. End of.

Not enough talent for 14? Take the slight hit. As more people UNDERSTAND the game, more people will get interested and will eventually start affecting new talent.

FWIW, London getting promoted is much better for the UK game (of which SL is 92% based) than another non UK based team. Nothing against Toronto or Toulouse as they are good teams, but charity starts at home.

Catch 22 really. The likes of France, Wales, Scotland & Ireland will never significantly improve unless they are playing regularly. Secondly if they play regular fixtures in for example a 5 nations players are more likely to elect to play for them.

Internationals can increase exposure & media attention subsequently increasing revenue.

What’s the proposal for the play-offs?

Quote: Psychedelic Casual "What’s the proposal for the play-offs?'" I believe it’s this system. Full of 2nd chances meaning dead rubber play off games. No doubt to be changed in a few years due to low attendances at those games. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_five_play-offs

Quote: Psychedelic Casual "What’s the proposal for the play-offs?'" I believe it’s this system. Full of 2nd chances meaning dead rubber play off games. No doubt to be changed in a few years due to low attendances at those games. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_five_play-offs

Ah right, cheers fella

Financial proposals don't look brill for Champ clubs https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dm--fH9XsAAFKPy.jpg:large

Financial proposals don't look brill for Champ clubs https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dm--fH9XsAAFKPy.jpg:large

Looking at that, it feels like the SL clubs are actually manoeuvring for a breakaway? Why would any non-SL clubs vote in favour of potentially zero TV funding? Interesting that they seem to have accepted that TV funding will be at current levels at best.

Well let's face it, it's Super League that gets the TV deal so why shouldn't SL get the TV money? The RFL should have got a separate deal for the Championship and League 1 instead of what they did and accept the first offer that came to them.

Totally agree. Sky have rights TV rights for all 3 divisions, but only show Championship games for 1 weekend at Blackpool, and show NO League One fixtures.
THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR THE GAME !

Agree Budgie. I may be a fan of a SL club but the way they seem to be on course of treating championship clubs is diabolical. The game needs a strong championship and championship one, that's where the true expansion lies. No good just having 12 or so teams to watch!

Interestingly the current TV deal was the result of Champ / L1 clubs demanding a "whole of game" deal.

But if those models are accurate, there's no way a non-SL club could vote for it.

I thought Lenaghan, sorry Elstone, was leading us into this bright new dawn of amazing TV contracts and commercial deals? Time for him / them to put up some forecasts that he can be held to account against.