Tweeted by Mick Gledhill an hour ago.
The RFL remodelling and structures meeting has just started. The Championship and League One clubs will not be told what their central funding payments for 2022 after delays in talks with the Super League realignment back to the RFL. Hoping to have more updates later on.


I understand that all 36 clubs are represented at the meeting, not sure if the two french clubs are are there. I doubt any decision will be made today.

Not a lot happened today then

Discussions on the future direction of the game have today been held between the RFL and Super League Europe, and clubs from the Betfred Super League, Championship and League 1.

Subjects covered included progress towards the realignment of Super League Europe and the RFL, central funding distribution to clubs, and potential competition structures and new competitions to help grow the game commercially.

RFL Chief Executive, Ralph Rimmer, says:

“We are all – Super League Europe, clubs and the RFL – focused on the future. All of us involved in these discussions today want the very best for their clubs, players, fans and the whole game.

“The collective approach has been positive and constructive, and there will be further consultation with clubs in the coming days.”

Super League Interim Chairman, Ken Davy, adds:

“The emphasis of today’s meeting was to provide a platform for discussion on several key areas of the sport, which can be the catalyst to drive the game forward in the coming years.

“The whole game approach to these discussions is testament to the importance placed on ensuring we deliver a compelling, long-lasting structure for the whole sport.

“The next two years are absolutely vital for the sport. We need to continue to make Rugby League an attractive sport to supporters, broadcasters, viewers and commercial partners.

“Ultimately, this sport is about the players on the pitch, and the excitement and drama they create.“

Super League and the RFL will make a further announcement as consultations with clubs progress.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... e-21190713 be prepared for more loop fixtures if it goes ahead

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... e-21190713 be prepared for more loop fixtures if it goes ahead

Utter sh** why not just have 14 team next year, home away fixtures, then 16 the year after, then split into conferences of 8 in 2024 but thats a leap year so have an extra 7 teams from championship for the last 7 1/2 games of the season relegate 3 sides for 2025 season back to championship but alow 2 championship teams to play in super league but only be allowed to play for 50 minutes each week but only on Wednesdays and bank holidays,

then in 2026 there after we can have a settled 9 sides in super league but no teams from WF post code past this date or Leigh ever again but a mini BMX after a 40/20 kick or instead of a drop out must be compulsory. And if its a leap year 15 sides

The game needs a revolution.

It's pathetic. You either like Rugby League or you don't. There is no magic wand.

Plenty of "magicians" on the web sites saving the game whilst denouncing the wealthy people who are the ones who actually support it's continuation,............

The changes suggested are a continuation of the radical approach of 2 x10 and sorry about the rest of you.... Can't afford to give TV money to clubs who aren't gonna be on TV - and that is very very hard to argue against unless you apply bucketfulls of sentimental tears..... .

Clearly there is the issue that the Championship clubs resent their futures being decided around a table, so it appears that in SL going to 14 clubs for a season, before becoming a 2x10 competition promoting the top six of the championship, and taking all the TV money, smaller clubs have their chance to show what they can do and earn a place in the 20 club Supeleague 2023.

When this proposal of 2x10 was first rolled out, when the small clubs were being asked to vote, like Turkeys voting for Christmas it was Mark Sawyer and Kevin Nicholas at Batley and Dewsbury that led the rebellion that voted against 2x10. Interestingly both these clubs will be borderline if the proposals are accepted.

There are still people asking how New York and Ottawa will fit into the new structure, I'm hoping there is room for Timbucktoo.....



France is an interesting situation, the French clubs are guests only and it may be that traditional full member English clubs dating back to 1896 will be most upset if TO and Catalans are in the 2x10 and that they are not. Another row to look forward to.

I wondered what it was that suddenly spurred Les Catalans into serious action, and Toulouse as well - I think it would be hard to argue against the French clubs inclusion if they bring a TV deal of their own. I would guess they are working very hard on that one with TO's promotion being a key offering a French SL home game every week and two derbies.....

If they got that French TV deal a 10 club top division could see the SKY money shared between eight English SL clubs........

I'm warming to the idea of two leagues of 10 provided it is at most 3 games against each team, the crucial part is the 2nd division getting enough funding and TV coverage. The third games could be on the road if we are prepared to market them properly.

More simple things to fix that I'd like to see are the season starting at the end of March. February is freezing, people are skint from Xmas and it hardly gets the season off to a start with a bang. Id also like to see teams banned from playing at home when a TV game is on, as that reduces viewers on SKY and the TV deal. Kickoff times to be standardised, its mad that games kick off at different times on a Sunday due to something about pub closing times 30 years ago.

You are right that this is the big moment for a French TV deal, both clubs are top of their divisions, if they arent getting a deal now they never will.

I'd be tempted to take them both out of the Magic Weekend if Toulouse come up, as realistically both will only fly a small amount of fans over, and instead play that fixture in Paris or Barcelona with French league games as the support act.

On the basis that there is far less money in the new TV deal and with RL and its mass postponements likely to damage our "pull" with Sky even more, how on earth will their be funding for the 2nd tier of 10 clubs.
Also, who are you chucking out of SL ?

Mind you, with fewer and fewer people playing the game, we may only be able to sustain 10 full time pro sides in a few years time. One thing for sure is that if SL is culled down to 10, it will hasten the "retreat", it certainly wont help grow the game.

The big factor is if SKY value games between the 'top 10' more than they do showing games against say Leigh and Salford. I know that games involving Wigan and Saints draw far higher viewers but I'm not sure what the difference is a bit further down the league.

Seems rumour is the top 10 would be decided on league positions, so right now it would be Leigh, Salford, Huddersfield and Wakefield missing out. But in a years time the table could of course look different.

I think its far from ideal, but I'm struggling to think of other ideas, we can't keep having teams just plodding along crowds, interest and finances are dropping.

The inclusion of both Catalans and Toulouse in SL under their own TV deal will leave eight (8) places for the English.

It's not hard to see who that will be

Lenegan & Wigan
McManus & Saints
Pearson and Hull
HKR & their new chairman and Hudgell
Moran and Warrington
Caddick and Leeds
Davey and Huddersfield

These are largely the richest English club owners and biggest clubs and I would guess in an improved stadium Carter and Wakefield will make the eight.

The new SKY deal is £26 Million a year so that could be largely shared amongst the eight giving them £3,000,000 a season........

That's more than they get now and that's a good plan as it's these clubs and rich chairmen that hold the game together....the last deal was massive but the last five years saw £tens of Millions thrown away on clubs going nowhere, who didn't provide anything much to SKY.

This new deal isn't that bad as long as we stop allowing championship clubs to waste tens of £Millions........it won't "hasten the retreat" at all, it can strengthen the top of the game....

It's not about what you get it's about how you spend it......