Let's hope so. Time to stop the tail wagging the dog. Let a breakaway, *led by commercial experts* lead the way. The holdouts will scream that the game is about to be destroyed and then end up joining the successful breakaway themselves within a few seasons. Basically, whoever makes the money ends up winning the argument. Let the RFL run a semi-pro competition, it's the right level for them ( and I mean that with no disrespect to the semi-pro game nor the RFL - it would genuinely be a good solution ).

Commercially it certainly worked for the EPL.The key factor is the Sky money.If a breakaway did happen then it will only work if Sky go with the breakaway group.

I couldn't see Sky sticking around with the left-behinds. Abandon us altogether? technically possible I suppose - though in practice a breakaway wouldn't happen unless they'd already lined up the broadcaster in the first place.

I'm guessing the Leeds club are happy with the RFL restructuring proposals.'"

A break away from 14, does not leave a lot left?

Even a league of 10 would be pushing it, in terms of a commercially viable group.

I'm sure there will be other who would join the break away group and not just the 7 mentioned. If it did come down to it and the money was in place for the break away group then there will be more wanting to get on board.

The plot thickens!

rlLicensing to be scrapped?rl

Please let it be so

Are that 7 united in anything more than frustration? Do they have a common position or do they just oppose/have reservations about the RFL's approach?

There's no compelling reason for a split - they (SL clubs) have already got the money and power. Dumping the RFL maybe gives them the freedom to appoint their own people, but agreeing on the way forward will be no easier and they lose a convenient blame magnet.

Rumour has suggested so, yes... but this is the first article I've seen which provides a bit more meaty evidence.

I can understand from a club point of view that if they have made medium / long term business planning & financial decisions (both infrastructure & on-field) based on a continuation of licensing, then they are right to question any change.

Perhaps 50% of SL clubs still live year by year and therefore aren't too bothered by any changes.

It's going to be an interesting week. So the RFL has finally realised they're doing a terrible job, but it looks like it's too little too late. The game needs a complete overhaul, not just some new three leagues of 8 rubbish... I do find it interesting that Leeds don't seem to be saying much in all this...

edited for a more true accuracy!

You can't move the goalposts so radically at such short notice. There's a lot of debate going on over the World Cup in Qatar. It's 9 years away. If the RFL were running it we'd probably be having meetings a few weeks before the tournament.

I think you're wrong.
All of the experts on here would have pointed out the pitfalls long before the vote in favour of Qatar, which does seem utterly ludicrous btw.