9s shouldn't replace the magic weekend. It makes money and sky love it.

I admit it is aspirational (<cough> pipedream <cough>icon_wink.gif and based on a premise of having more money than we do.

But on the other hand Bradford, London and Hull KR have all been SL teams in the recent past, and it'd be nice to think that there's potential in places like Sheffield, Toulouse and Toronto, for example.

Even football struggles with Sky and their demands wrt scheduling and kick off times so it's not just us that struggle to grow a pair. Whilst I understand the frustrations let's not forget how crucial tv money is.

I'd personally just go with: 23 league rounds seems Magic will be kept. Get rid of the Easter double header. That means less games and no double up weekends - better for the players. 12th place goes down, top 5 playoffs, league leaders automatically through to the Grand Final - they get 2 weeks off while the 4 remaining play to join them at Old Trafford. Add in mandatory reserve teams too.

That cuts down on the number of games played and a reduced season meas you can have a week or 2 off for internationals mid season too.

Indeed.
Despite Jamie Peacocks fantasy, that a 9's competition would be good for the game, it just isn't/ wouldn't be a big enough draw.
Peacock, when he was at Leeds, wanted SL cutting to 10 clubs and yet strangely, he now wants an increase

THere also needs to be some serious thought given as to how we accommodate Toulouse and Toronto in the top flight, assuming that they would be "good for the game".

P & R will keep the game stuck in the heartlands. Expanding to new areas likes Toronto needs licencing / franchising to work. Personally I think that decision has already been made.

Of course it'd be less money. Why would Sky pay the same if you're offering them less content with several less weeks of tv?