This is such a cop-out and syptomatic of the "lets blame the easy answer" culture in RL.

There are PlayStations in the RU heartlands, yet its participation levels aren't declining. They're growing.

The RFL should be asking themselves why the UK's second largest city Birmingham population 1.3098 million doesn't have a professional rugby league team

Because 95% of Birmingham's population only understand cricket

Because no investor or community has started one.

This is the confusion that most have. The governing body is there to manage the game. It should help clubs set themselves up. But it is not there to bank roll or form clubs.

The rfl did not set up saints, Wigan, Leeds, Hull etc. They were all formed independently and joined a league.

Could it be that potential investors see the product as poor & badly managed by the RFL.

Yep, spot on. You see the same excuse trotted out for falling attendances and poor ticket sales

Quote: bramleyrhino "This is such a cop-out and syptomatic of the "lets blame the easy answer" culture in RL. There are PlayStations in the RU heartlands, yet its participation levels aren't declining. They're growing.'" Have you read this: https://www.statista.com/topics/3208/ru ... ingdom-uk/ Also, the inclusion of participation numbers for ladies and particularly girls playing both codes does skew the figures.

Quote: bramleyrhino "This is such a cop-out and syptomatic of the "lets blame the easy answer" culture in RL. There are PlayStations in the RU heartlands, yet its participation levels aren't declining. They're growing.'" Have you read this: https://www.statista.com/topics/3208/ru ... ingdom-uk/ Also, the inclusion of participation numbers for ladies and particularly girls playing both codes does skew the figures.

Not sure if it's been mentioned but the next big news I'm expecting now that Toronto are in SL is.....

Changing the format in 2021 to go up to 14 teams and therefore protect the bottom club or possibly the return of licensing.

Did you read that in your tea leaves or, is it just a hunch.

Unlike others on here, I don't claim that I have inside information - I know nowt.

This is therefore pure speculation, but it wouldn't suprise me if we heard something along these lines before the start of next season.

Would not be a huge shock to move to 14. The quality below superleague has improved and Toronto have show that 13 full time teams is feasible.

14 would depend on whether their are a couple of teams that can financially manage a full super league cap and whether tv monies grow. Remember Toronto are getting no TV money.

Licensing would surprise me as for me last time it lowered standards with some teams happy to be garuanteed a pay day and did nothing to grow their sides or grounds with no pressure from the league below

Why are Toronto not getting a slice of the SL cake
Have they sacrificed this to allow them to take the proceeds of any Canadian / American TV deal or, is there a different reason ?