Said it once and will say it again if the NRL can set up a team in AFL country and that team can be a success then there is no reason that the RFL cant do something similar. Its absurd to think new franchises can not just survive but prosper at the highest level on off there own back. The RFL to me seem like they want to say they have expanded the game but have no thought process behind it to ensure expansion works.

The one thing I don't get is why is London such a key to the TV money ? I reckon 99.99% of people who have Sky sports will do so for another sport other then RL. RL isn't exactly the popular sport in London so I don't get why they bring huge value to the tv deal ?

I personally feel at the moment though the RFL are trying to expand too quick too soon. IMO they needed to setup clubs to start off in the championship and only move them up when they are ready to be "sustainable".

But that's your problem , the current Championship clubs including some over a hundred years old are not self sustaining , so how long do you think it would take to get expansion clubs to that level ?

Unless of course you start to think differently on marketing issues , but that involves some grey matter and a little money , both things in short supply both at the clubs and at the RFL

I can see your point but that would take decades unless some kind of rich arab owner sets up a new franchise!

if expansion is gonna work then the RFL or Sky have to be directly invloved with the running of the club.

I don't know what the answer is in terms of how to expand the game, but all I know is it doesn't seem to be working. I think that the most successful way we will do it, is by organic expansion out from the heartlands.

But, I don't think that all of our expansion teams should be or need to be in the top flight. Only the ones that have shown to be able to sustain themselves should be allowed to be in the top. I also include heartland teams in that too.

It's not about dishes or subscriptions....it's about market reach/share and advertisers perceptions. Demographically, London/SE audiences are more 'profitable' for TV companies when flogging advert slots.....and that is why, [size IF [/sizeit's true, Londons SL team is part and parcel of the deal.
The only reason the melbourne Storm are in the NRL is ad revenue/TV money......and trhe WA Reds in perth are next....it's about reach!

So why does expansion have to be in SL ?

Why not get involved in helping ALL Championship clubs ?

In the non heartlands who wants to watch a new RL side not playing at the top level? If for instance the South West was next do prople really wanna go and watch a a new team outside Superleage?

The RFL dont get expansion. It takes more than just dumping a team in a new area and them hoping for the best.

I'm not sure there is an answer.
You've got the likes of Harlequins as an expansion team, who don't get a lot of fans. Then again Salford aren't much better despite having being around for a hundred years.
Then you've got clubs that have grown from amateur in expansion areas, such as Skolars, who don't get a lot of fans but likewise there are old clubs in the heartlands in a similar position.

There is an ever expanding amateur and youth scene outside of the heartlands, but it's a long way from that to pro RL with a significant fan base.

You expect heartland fans to watch non SL , so why not expansion area fans ?

Crusaders should have worked although Moss and co put pay to that. After a good season last year they then shift games to Friday which equals a drop in gates. The mess moss and co got Wrexham fc in has led to those potenial fans boycotting Cru games.

And we all know the reason behind yesterday decision. They want to sell the ground to build flats on. They are messing around with Wrexham supporters trust leading to which that Wrexham & Crusaders will be wound up in the next few weeks.

I'd suggest theres more to it than that

The record attendance was for a friday game and the third best attendance in 2010 was for a friday night game against Catalans, the corresponding fixture for Catalans this season was about 40% down. Wakefield last season was on a friday yet got a higher attendance than this season. As the 2010 season progressed the average attendence was falling anyway so the current season is a continuation of that and the novelty effect of SL rugby in Wrexham wearing off.

That catagorically does not exist , we have been told time and time again on these boards

Good post. Whether fans like it or not Harlequins are vital it making sure we go forward as a sport. Yes they get poor attendances and struggle financially against the other teams. But Salford only get around a 1000 more fans, and thier a heartland club. So all fans slating Quins attendances need to look at the heartlands attendances because they not THAT much better.

The main reasons we have Quins is mainly because of the TV contract. SKY won't pay £90million for a TV cntract where itonly audience will be on the M62 corridor. even though 90% of the audience will be on the M62 corridor, it doesn't look good for the RFL when trying to get a new contract, that all the teams are in one area.

Another slight point is that amount of kids playing the game. Take Quins away again, and all these schools stop playing RL. This will impact massively on the funding the RFL get. Without this funding the heartland clubs will struggle financially.