If we expand FT RL into N America the TV rights go through the roof

Welcome back!

It is very good the expansion of the sport, and having an American League could give the sport a shot in the arm it needs, but only if it is done right.

Have you though, stopped to think at all that more foreign clubs in our league could have a long term detrimental impact on those heartland clubs trying to get into and stay in super league.

Some will go to the wall, and without those heartland clubs, the sport will die

I'm sure they are here in spirit H.

Limited posts Alan, but onto the quote. It is up to each club to decide its fate, but I can see SUPER clubs drawing 20k gates being in it, with the traditional smaller clubs in a domestic league - Like Super Union in NZ

But a lot of those heartland clubs are only just surviving as it is and I'm not sure why things would suddenly get worse for them if some new clubs arrive into the league structure? They'd still survive.

The one thing I hope for is that promotion & relegation is kept. This allows for the cream to rise the top, and ensures that every club can aspire to get to SL. If the ladder gets pulled up behind the SL clubs again, I think we may see issues - one of the main things the Super 8's system has done is revitalise the Championship IMO.

Ultimately, an expanded league structure including French & North American sides, will see knock-on positive impacts.

Broadcast deals, media coverage, corporates & sponsorship are all valued base on brand perception. A competition who's teams are based solely along the M62, watched by predominantly working-class folk is unfortunately not worth as much to broadcasters & sponsors as a competition that covers three countries and some huge metropolitan cities (namely Toulouse, London & Toronto). That's just the reality, rightly or wrongly. Ultimately, that increased investment will see all clubs benefit.

Leigh and Salford will merge to become Manchester Reds or Manchester Miners or some other name, playing at the LSV. Salford's ground will be bought by Sale Sharks' owner. It's the only way forward if you want to watch SL in Leigh.

Manchester v Boston
Manchester v Toronto
Manchester v Leeds

It's what SKY want and it may not be what the older fans want but the young ones will accept it.

Probably get shouted at for this but looking at WYSIWYG post about manchester merged teams seems to following the idea of whats called super rugby in the southern hemisphere (Yes its union) then they also have a heartland competition, eg Auckland, north harbour and Northland are seperate teams but in the super rugby they play as Auckland Blues or Otago and southland play as Highlanders.
So you keep your local teams playing in a different competition and then the super dooper comes together for competition which includes New Zealand, South African, Australian plus an Argentinian and Japanese team.
The plus to these is the seasons run 1 after the other and covers February to Novemeber.
Its just a thought but personally I'd be uncomfortable watching a team made up of Leigh, Salford and Swinton, it would take some getting used to.

Can't see that happening. For a start, Leigh is probably too far away for a Manchester club. I think the preference would be a team based at the second stadium at the Etihad.

Plus, would a pool of Leigh's and Salford resources be a match for that other club in the borough anyway...

I will have a £1 that LSV will host SL next season.

Who, Salford?

There are a side, Manchester Rangers, based out of the second stadium at the Etihad. Apparently they have ambitions to join L1 in the next few years.

Eric Perez sold the Toronto Wolfpack TV rights to Premier Sports last season as well as other TV cable companies based in North America I wonder if they will cover Toronto next season in the Championship? Also wonder if the Championship and League 1 as a whole could be sold to a TV company? If so it would bring in welcome income to the two lower leagues and add competition for Sky TV next time the Super League rights are due for negotiation.

Unfortunately, Sky currently own the rights to the Championship. They just choose to not show any games.