That is a beltin read, well done that man.

I think the LED one is in reference to LED advertisement boards, which we have at LSV.

As for the rest, right now it's difficult to assess as there isn't enough detail. I'm not liking the feel of a lot of it though, especially the idea that all the clubs will be ranked and the top 12 are automatically in SL. Doesn't seem like a good move for the game below SL.

Aaah ! Sorry there wasn't an LED one. You're probably right this being from IMG. Bongser supports sponsors when they are relevant to his needs, but has not noticed any of the hoardings at LSV (LED or otherwise) as he has installed an Ad-Blocker in his specs / brain. We are all now so bombarded with adverts that they cease to be noticed most of the time and are just plain annoying (to the point of antipathy toward the brand) the rest of the time!

Thanks Bongser for giving your thoughts on the IMG proposal. One item that irks me, appears not to mentioned at all, and that is the pitch dimensions. Once upon a time if memory serves me right, pitch markings used to be less prominent, with only half-way and possibly a 22 or 20 metre marked out. At some point League adopted a more uniform American Football - grid system. This helped with referees being able to take teams back a more uniform distance. Then rules like 40-20 came in to keep wingers on their toes. The obvious result of this change is that pitches should be 100 metres long plus in goal areas. I find it horrendous to watch Castleford at home with their famous slope and ridiculous spacing between 30 and 40 metres. According to Wikipedia it is Field size 120 by 74 yards (110 m × 68 m). If the in goal area is 10 metres, the pitch can only be 90 Metres at maximum. With 5 metres lopped off both 30-40 markers. Such a non-standard dimension has helped Castleford develop a unique style of play and no doubts is worth extra points every season.
Vossy highlighted during the World Cup, that even a new stadium like Hull FC is not a 100 metre playing surface.

Bradford with their historical hole in the ground and corresponding Speedway track have pitch dimensions of 111.74 m x 67.79 m. This is a narrow pitch only marginally narrower than Castleford. Which results in very little play down the flanks and Leigh demonstrated last year, the best route is to steam roller a team down the middle.

The official guidelines for a Rugby League pitch is 112-122m x 68m. Castleford is not long enough and Bradford is not long or wide enough. Yet both clubs will be wanting category A status.

Don't even get me started on either of these stadia or the fine stadium at Wakefield.

Good post, Sep, keep 'em coming.

Attendances
Super League is looking fairly healthy this season. Saints, Wigan, Leeds and Warrington are pulling in 10K+.
The middle tier appears to be Hull FC, Hull KR, Salford, Catalans, Castleford and Leigh.
The bargain basement appears to be Wakey and Huddersfield. Wakefield are getting just above 4K and Bardford in the Championship are just below 4K. Any team in the Championship is going to suffer from poor attendances and as a consequence will score less favourably than a Super League team according to the IMG rating system. Less bodies through the turnstiles will affect Social Media viewings. As Bongser stated if you employ the bots, you can cheat the Social Media figures.

Leigh will hopefully benefit from 2 out of the 3 seasons under consideration being in Super League. A sample for 2020 - 2022 done by a Yorkshire Live put Toulouse in 12th and Leigh in 13th. 2021 - 2023 would no doubt place Leigh higher up the table.

DB is pulling out the stops with entertainment at Home games planned to continue, until he gets bored or cost prohibitive. Just wait until the entertainment is Rick Astley followed by Chesney Hawkes.

Not sure we are going to see 10K+ for some time yet, unless DB is planning to get Elton John to return to the LSV.

Bongser seems to recall seeing video of a recent interview with Derek wherein the interviewee said that when Leigh were still in SL at the end of the season he dreamed of having Elton back on the pitch singing "I'm Still Standing."

Let's hope that happens for two reasons.

Or an Ode to the club - Never gonna give you up!

....or Leopards are the one and only!

When IMG are looking at attendances for clubs, I think the club should have their away following considered too. It’s all well and good having 7,000 plus at home and a taxi full away. Some clubs have a good core of away fans, so should be rewarded as so.

This would be detrimental to Toulouse and Catalans.

It sure would, however would have a truer reflection on what value they bring. All teams from UK take far more away support than the opposite way.

You are bang on here.

Would they if they had to do it every other week