If it helps Toulouse averaged 2300 crowds (notwithstanding allegations of them inflating this). Soccer and Rugby Union in the city average 16-18,000 so Toulouse are a distant third. For a good number of years now since they made a straight enquiry about getting into Superleague, they have been toiling to have actual French players in their team as much as possible as Superleague bosses fed up with Catalans having a largely English/Aussie team asked them to do this. They were also asked for a TV deal, and the existing French deal for Catalans could have gone up with the addition of Toulouse to SL but of course the phoney TWP got in the way, so now there is no deal.

As with TWP and as you know good sir, attendances are nothing to do with possible entry to Superleague - the requirement is to produce pro/SL level quality players and get TV deals which neither club does. Toulouse don't have a rich backer either (they say once in SL backing will come) so I suppose they are a french version of Halifax. If TO were to put themselves forward for Superleague then Halifax, Fev, Bradford, Widnes and Leigh should all apply as they are certainly better qualified on the correct criteria than Toulouse.

As I am sure you appreciate, but I say it for any dreamers reading, expansion isn't putting clubs clubs 900 to 9000 miles away into SL, but a small but noisy band of alleged RL fans, plus two RL paper editors and a dual personality & gender victim, seemingly think it is?

As my fellow Celt Mark Evans said to Dave Woods on the BBC a few months ago, if you're the third most watched sport in a city it really is a massive struggle, i felt he was suggesting that they should stop playing, look at the Melbourne Rebels, the Western Force, Mark is a former CEO of the Melbourne Storm. Is there really any point of Yorkshire Carnegie? I'm not including international cities like London and New York here, cities under 2 or 3 million people.

I appreciate the difficulties of Leeds Carnegie up against BOTH Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos - they have no chance.

But why good sir, does the principle not apply to London where London Broncos are up against a myriad of top sports clubs? is it really any different in New York where New York RL will be up against New York Mets, New York Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New York Nicks, New York Giants, New York Jets, New jersey devils, New York islanders, New York Rangers, New York city, New York Red Bulls and SKY Blue FC.

I suggest New York RL have something much bigger than a "massive struggle" in front of them. Happy new year my friend, thank you for your kind replies, and if anyone wants a New Years resolution of substance (especially editors of RL rags and mags) then I suggest you resolve to stop taking the American Dream seriously and start to question these people??

1. Evans was more than just the CEO of The Storm. He was the man at Quins that welcomed RL into the fold, he was the brains behind the big game that now fills twickenham each xmas, his company were employed by the RFL to promote the 2013 RLWC Double Header and he was one of a key team of business leaders tasked with cutting the Fox/NRL cord from the storm....as well as increasing gates.....all of which he did splendidly.
2. In terms of footfall at games, the Storm (18,200) are third behind the Victory (18,600) and the fumblers. The "kick it in the net" lot have a second side in the city and the derby drew 33k this year and we all know that the fumblers turn out in huge numbers, but the Storm have done well, persevered and have started to build a solid following.
3. I said (in 2002 first IIRC) that if RL wanted a team in London and SKY were not just treating us like a cheap filler, then the ownership of the Broncos should have been 50/50 the RFL and the broadcaster. The reality was Sky just wanted something else to show, ideally in summer and we get where we are now, 100% beholding to them and at their mercy.

Who is this Walter fellow to whom you would like to speak, using me as an intermediary apparently?

He's an absolute legend (in his own head anyway) perhaps he's reminded of him through you, fwiw jeannie I too can see many similarities in you and Walter.

Would that be the same legendary Quennsland Wakefield Trinity and Australian five eighth? I do know though he is a commentator for some second rate tv station, as for being immortal I thought you had to be dead to be referred to as that, but I will accept your word for it as you appear to have had one of the finest educations available.
Unfortunately, for you anyway he is not the same Walter that you think he is confusing you with, the Walter he is confusing you with is called Mitty, now he also might have been a five eighth amongst other things, but alas he wasn't as legendary as Walter Lewis the Queensland and Wakefield Trinity player who went on to represent his country countless times not forgetting the sterling interviews he does on that tv network whose name I can't remember, if this has deflated your ego somewhat I shouldn't worry because to be mistaken for Mr Mitty is quite an achievement in itself.

Mitty!

So then
TV deal negotiations will start in earnest once the SL chairmen sell 25% (or a like figure) to a VC company. Until then it's as you were and games on Thursday and Friday evenings with no free fillers on Saturdays.
Will Sky bite the bullet and show some championship games this year or will they find another schedule filler that may again underline how little they need us?

Do you any links to details about the VC deal (apologies if it's posted on a previous page, I haven't trawled back through)

How would a decision to sell 25% come about? A simple majority vote of SL clubs?

rlhttps://www.sportbusiness.com/news/super-league-close-to-private-investment/rl

Why on earth would you wish to call him by a name that NOBOY uses.
Rather than make you appear better informed, it makes you look like, a bit of a Walter.

WALLY Lewis is one of, maybe THE best players to ever grace our great game and he deserves the respect of fans and pseudo fans alike, something which you are not showing.

If everyone on hear called you Jeanette, you mat get upset

Thanks, it wouldn't surprise me is some SL owners were investing in CVC.

In a way it makes sense, a VC is more likely tohave the combined interests at heart,rather than individual clubs. Interesting times ahead.