I agree - the key point that underlies this is that it comes down to the quality of the players.

The problem we have at the moment is that the real stars of the game are all in the NRL, and it's hard because of their higher salary cap, an exchange rate relationship that no longer benefits the UK, and also the fact Origin is so big over there and players that come to the UK are out of contention for Origin or international calls. So it is not as easy now to get these top players in.

But why do we not produce the stars in the UK any more? We produce a lot of good players and fine professionals which is why in the World Cup we could run the Aussies close in the final, but in the 1980s and 1990s there were players like: Offiah, Edwards, Hanley, Davies, Schofield and there hasn't been anyone of that calibre since (yes fair enough Davies came from Welsh RU but even if we could afford to buy Welsh RU players any more have there been any in Davies calibre since?)

There is more money, better facilities and coaching structures in place now than there were back then so why haven't the players come through?

I can see RD's point about bigger stars with the ultimate hope that they become household names to help get our game into the nation's psyche or even semi consciousness would be an improvement.

However I share your concern about our next Sky deal as I think that we are being marginalised to the point where I'd question the platform that Sky might be giving us. Conjecture I know but they seem to be flogging American Football Basketball, Women's Soccer and Women's RU, Netball to name but a few and wont be helping our cause one bit IMO

The rfl should package up games, as the Premier league have done with sky n bt and give the BBC some games to cover on a Sunday. With maybe a Thursday evening championship game. Initially we should not charge the BBC.

I cannot see us getting less money from sky but I think that we cannot just give them complete exclusivity. There's deffinately been a decline in coverage as more sports gain viewing figures.

We're probably better set should the sky deal see a decrease in money and that's an advantage, we can go on to dominate but I think that dominates not winning every year I would say 4/5 gf n a few cc would be classed as a dominant side to the 20s given the competition today as opposed to the 80s.

Why not charge the BBC?...they charge us through a licence.

Wigan had the pick of the rugby world. Union (even the All Blacks) were not paid. The team that Wigan put out in the Twickenham Sevens 1996 was very special. League wouldn't be able to keep those players now. Money talks and the big money is now, of course, in Union.

Wigan were insolvent under Maurice Lindsay (somehow he was elected President of the RFL), and were bailed out by Whelan. With the help of Tesco, they built a new stadium. Same with us with Higham being replaced by Moran, and Widnes but I cannot remember the names of the owners. There's probably other clubs to add. Wigan in the 80's almost killed the game, they did not make it great.

We need a Lindsay type at the RFL now.

Wigan RL didn't get the ground. Whelan and Latins did.

Looking at various points in this thread

Our 2020's side. Let's win a trophy first, before we get too tumescent. We haven't won a big one (CC/GF) , for over 6 years. I've seen many a false dawn, here.

Wigan's dominance. Couldn't give a stiff one. It finished 20 years ago. Ancient history. They've won plenty since, but so have Bradford, Saints and Leeds.

Sky deal.
The deal MUST be right for both parties.
I assume our game is cash strapped, so we need a deal that benefits us. However, Sky are haemorrhaging their portfolio, in the last few years. They've lost
Football Champions League, FA Cup to BT Sports, as well as BT getting an increased amount of Prem games. Spanish football.
Cricket Ashes tours, as well as other International games. Add to this, BBC coverage starting again.
Boxing Various fighters now appearing on BT sports, that would've been on Sky
R.U. Premiership games, and Heineken Cup.
Tennis US Open and various tour events
Golf Rumoured to be losing the PGA tour events (I. E 50% of the channel's output)

The only things they seem to [imajor on[/i are Prem League football, darts, F1 and US sports. We need a good bargainer, when the contract is up for renewal. Interesting times ahead for our sport.

I hope this post is brought up in 12 months in a positive light.

Quote: rubber duckie "Why not charge the BBC?...they charge us through a licence.'" https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-he ... gland-team They offer way more in attracting a new and wider audience that would be more attractive to mainstream sponsors... It would jot be free perse offer them league and championship games on a 5 year contract with payments starting for the final three years making it seam like a deal. We've a world Cup coming and a gb tour now is the time to start looking at how to capitalise on potential success in both, sky's moneys great but their exposure is not...

Quote: rubber duckie "Why not charge the BBC?...they charge us through a licence.'" https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-he ... gland-team They offer way more in attracting a new and wider audience that would be more attractive to mainstream sponsors... It would jot be free perse offer them league and championship games on a 5 year contract with payments starting for the final three years making it seam like a deal. We've a world Cup coming and a gb tour now is the time to start looking at how to capitalise on potential success in both, sky's moneys great but their exposure is not...

The thing I took from that report is the BBC have been asking for the final to be moved for 5 years. Soon as they remove the incompetence that is the RFL the better.

Is that moving the date of the final, or the time?

I think I'm moving the decade to the 2030s!

We might have the "arrogant fans that the rest of the league loves to hate" and "club spent too much and overextended itself" parts in common, just without the collection of trophies and world class rugby on display.