I have never bought into this idea that the Magic Weekend is there to "spread the game"; at least not directly. I haven't been to the opera, I might like it but I might not. So I don't think I would go out and buy a weekend pass for the Proms. However if I happen to be in the area and see a bunch of opera fanatics having a right beano, I will probably be tempted to do my research and find out more.

The magic weekend works because it is profitable for all concerned and gives us a good weekend away. That has a knock-on effect on the host city. Take it to somewhere inoffensive but dull - ie Coventry - you will kill the concept off in an instant. However, I have a horrible feeling that Big Nige will lead us down that route.

I'm naturally sceptical about all this. Stadium use aside, what would Wasps RU gain out of it? When London Broncos traded under the Harlequins moniker, the union club benefited from the goodwill which came from the RL side's community work. I can only imagine that this would be the same. Unless we take a bold step and abandon the word 'rugby', people will continue to remain oblivious.

I have never bought into this idea that the Magic Weekend is there to "spread the game"; at least not directly. I haven't been to the opera, I might like it but I might not. So I don't think I would go out and buy a weekend pass for the Proms. However if I happen to be in the area and see a bunch of opera fanatics having a right beano, I will probably be tempted to do my research and find out more.

The magic weekend works because it is profitable for all concerned and gives us a good weekend away. That has a knock-on effect on the host city. Take it to somewhere inoffensive but dull - ie Coventry - you will kill the concept off in an instant. However, I have a horrible feeling that Big Nige will lead us down that route.

I'm naturally sceptical about all this. Stadium use aside, what would Wasps RU gain out of it? When London Broncos traded under the Harlequins moniker, the union club benefited from the goodwill which came from the RL side's community work. I can only imagine that this would be the same. Unless we take a bold step and abandon the word 'rugby', people will con

If you wanted a taste of opera you might be dissapointed if you go to The Proms, which is predominately a festival of classical music.

This sounds like their chief exec is dangling a carrot to ensure generating some more short term income.
If you let me stage some lucrative fixtures, i'll "consider" hosting a RL club, er hello.
And this from RU, which in other directions does everything it can to damage and belittle our sport.

I realise that on the face of it it appears quite interesting but, if this is a serious thought, they would/should be going about things differently.

Also, have we gone back to a franchise system because last time I looked, clubs could still be relegated from the top flight.

If you own your stadium. SL should be a no brainer. Your salary cap is paid for through the tv money, you have your coaching costs and back office costs to cover through match day revenue and sponsorship.

Wasps wouldn't get involved to spread RL on our behalf. Very few people will get involved out of altruism. They would get involved to make money. And thats no bad thing. In fact it's a good thing. It's something we should be discussing with every sports club which owns a 15-30k stadium. We can piggy back of the infrastructure there.

Renting a stadium is far less than ideal. It limits income hugely. Building new stadiums is difficult and probably impossi or in places where we are a new or low level sport. We can't even get a new stadium built in Wakefield where there are umpteen ostensibly professional clubs. We should be talking to lower division football clubs and RU clubs. Sell the synergy and economies of scale.

If RL wanted it. We could have clubs all of the country, in fantastic facilities, within a couple of years. That wasps aren't falling over themselves to get involved is because of our failings.

Yet again the sport is potentially lurching in new directions.
The issue with Wasps hinges on whether they are just looking at an additional revenue to help the Union club or, are they really wanting to promote Rugby League and for me, they have zero interest in helping our sport and wish only to help themselves.

Our sport needs a clear strategy and someone at the top who can deliver to whatever the agreed plan may be.

Toronto has genuine possibilities to expand the game to a new market but, moving an existing SL "franchise" to Coventry, to help out Wasps RU would do nothing and, what happens if said club were to get relegated ?
They would be left to wither and die

IF they (Wasps) are so interested in RL, let them follow the same route as Toulouse and Toronto, which would show that they have some genuine interest in the sport and not just in taking the games money, especially as we are not exactly loaded.

RE magic weekend, l have only missed 2 and i always watch every game, l dont think i have ever seen more than 15k at any one game, most fans turn up for their game and then go, Newcastle will NEVER be more than a third full. OK l know if you pick a stadium of 25K, sods law, 30k fans will have a collective bang on the head, and turn up all at once, so the RFL carn,t risk it. for me Coventry would be fine.

I may not have worded my post too well but, I firmly believe that Wasps have zero interest in RL and that they are only "looking" at the "potential" to secure revenue from high value fixtures like CC semi final or Magic Weekend, which would be superb "bonus" events for them and quite frankly, if this is their motive, they are not the right "fit" for us.

Going back to the point on league 1 etc, as we are currently, there is no "right" to play in SL as we have a promotion and relegation system in place and really, this issue needs dealing with long before we entertain the advances of clubs like Wasps.

Indeed

They are going to go through all the hassle of setting up a super league club with all the costs involved of it in order to make £20k a year from hosting a CC semi final.

Regards

King James

Quote: boomer "RE magic weekend, l have only missed 2 and i always watch every game, l dont think i have ever seen more than 15k at any one game, most fans turn up for their game and then go, Newcastle will NEVER be more than a third full. OK l know if you pick a stadium of 25K, sods law, 30k fans will have a collective bang on the head, and turn up all at once, so the RFL carn,t risk it. for me Coventry would be fine.'" I've seen more like 25k at Magic Weekend games, e.g. www.rugby-league.com/_mediaimage ... xwidth=700 Coventry is too small.

Quote: boomer "RE magic weekend, l have only missed 2 and i always watch every game, l dont think i have ever seen more than 15k at any one game, most fans turn up for their game and then go, Newcastle will NEVER be more than a third full. OK l know if you pick a stadium of 25K, sods law, 30k fans will have a collective bang on the head, and turn up all at once, so the RFL carn,t risk it. for me Coventry would be fine.'" I've seen more like 25k at Magic Weekend games, e.g. www.rugby-league.com/_mediaimage ... xwidth=700 Coventry is too small.