I am deeply suspicious about the absence of any formally announced figure from either the RFL or SKY.

There is no reason to keep such a figure quiet if it is a good one. The RFL can crow about the increased investment, and SKY could shout about its commitment to the sport.

The silence is worrying. Far too many times, I've witnessed the RFL bent over and shagged by "partners", while someone at Red Hall explains why this is good for the game. So I don't feel confident until I see a big number in black and white.

I've been involved in international sports rights for many years and it does not surprise me in the least that no figure has been officially released. The RFL would not want to 'concretise' their acceptable price points by publicising the figure. Similarly, Sky would not want to confirm the figure as this would allow potential bidders for next time to go out and source a target sum of finance so as to strangthen their bid.

I don't especially approve of this style of business, but it is the way of it. In the last twelve months I've negotiated deals with major rights owners in sport and elsewhere and the figures are never released.

I'm interested in what you say, and it makes perfect sense. It's just that I seem to be very well aware of the amount which different broadcasters have paid for rights in other sports (or indeed the NRL), even though I don't even follow other sports.

Fundamentally, I don't trust the commercial competency of the RFL (based on reasonable evidence such as the Stobart deal). I very much want to be proved wrong, but a tweet from a journo isn't enough.

Well it should be a big number Roy or they should have waited a bit Longer. They seemed to have snapped other stuff up asap to keep BT at bay so a big deal was to be had from BT for sure imo. Im curious to see what each SL club will get as im hoping this will help London etc. stop losing money.

Quote Snoopy="Snoopy"Well it should be a big number Roy or they should have waited a bit Longer. They seemed to have snapped other stuff up asap to keep BT at bay so a big deal was to be had from BT for sure imo. Im curious to see what each SL club will get as im hoping this will help London etc. stop losing money.'" They did seem under pressure from the clubs: www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... 0974805._/? In particular: “The brief we have given to the RFL now is to look at the commercial side of it,” said Gatcliffe. “Now we know what the structure is going to be, the instruction to the RFL on the clubs’ behalf is to talk to the television broadcasters who are the source of a lot of money coming into our sport. Though it would appear mission accomplished

Quote Snoopy="Snoopy"Well it should be a big number Roy or they should have waited a bit Longer. They seemed to have snapped other stuff up asap to keep BT at bay so a big deal was to be had from BT for sure imo. Im curious to see what each SL club will get as im hoping this will help London etc. stop losing money.'" They did seem under pressure from the clubs: www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... 0974805._/? In particular: “The brief we have given to the RFL now is to look at the commercial side of it,” said Gatcliffe. “Now we know what the structure is going to be, the instruction to the RFL on the clubs’ behalf is to talk to the television broadcasters who are the source of a lot of money coming into our sport. Though it would appear mission accomplished

I've not seen them disclose the figures for ECB, Lions, Speedway or WWE by SKY. Neither have those governing bodies released the details.

I think the RFL had this up their sleeve, probably the reason why the rebels backed off and the reason why Big Mac was so into nailing his colours to the mast on the new structure.


It's quite an increase. Yes there will be money going to the SL2 clubs. But the proposed amounts don't touch this so it will still be an increase for SL clubs overall.

Even if every championship club got the full £600,000 of central funding (which they are not under the current deal. That only comes to £7.2 million a year. Leaving the SL clubs with the remainder.

Need a bit more detail but those seem fantastic figures, it's more than double the current one, I can see the reasons we may have such a good deal, but i can also see ways it may not be as first suggested

Needs more meat on the bones but at first glance really good deal

No whinging from Koukash on Twitter yet, so I guess we can presume it is a good deal.

Unions viewing figures on BT have been pathetic so glad we didn't jump ship.

Would be nice to know the financial gains, it's bad news for the game that there is still no fta coverage of SL but if the money's right then a long term deal is good for the game.

So where's the people who were saying sky were losing interest in SL? Gutters come on down!

Imo this deal in part will be a big middle finger to union. We've all seen how maturely sky act when they don't win (rlwc anyone) so an opportunity to send a message seems about right...

I can see rl vs ru becoming a bit of a battle as pawns for bt vs sky heats up

I think this is good timing. It is difficult to know whether BT will be successful in getting their numbers up in the next few years. If not, it will have been a good time to strike an enhanced deal with Sky. Even if BT do well there will be competition between Sky and BT I think to stay loyal is a good thing. It is now in both Sky and RL's interest to really make this next few years work in terms of growing the sport.