Quote: nathan_rugby "You can have the best product / sport in the world, but if nobody knows about it then what is the point?
The quality of the sport is not the reason for stagnation / a lack of growth.'"
With respect I am going to challenge the no-one knows about RL argument. RL has featured on British TV and Radio broadcasts since 1948. The 2024 CCF drew an audience share of 12.6%. (877,000 viewers)*. Most newspapers carried articles on the grand final build up and game.
I think, in reality, it just has limited appeal with the limited number of people who like "rugby" preferring Union which has an enviable international game, national league, and domestic following.
I have always equated RL with the Irish Hurling Pro league. Fiercely contested between the counties that play it, finals draw ~60,000 spectators, average home gates ~10,000 some 20,000+, TV coverage by Sky, major league sponsor in Allianz. They believe it's the best game on earth too. Yeah we are aware of it but are we going to watch it...?
*https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/how-the-challenge-cup-viewing-figures-compare-to-2023-and-the-rugby-union-final-92997/