Quote: Danril ".........................Ultimately though this is a hugely complicated issue that has chicken & egg parts to it as well as the class system and inept RFL top brass hindering the game from being paid what it is truly worth to the broadcasters IMO. It will be interesting to see what kind of TV deal we can negotiate this time given the viewing figures they get for our games, the relative money going to union and the fact that the people running our game sometimes look like they couldn't organise a good session down the boozer.'"
As there was really only one broadcaster with the cash to sign up RL last time then is it no wonder that the RFL took what was on offer and tugged their collective forlocks at the Clan Murdoch??
The interesting scenario will be at the end of this season when a new
rlTV dealrl is negotoiated as Sky now have a genuine broadcasting rival in ESPN for all the UK sporting rights Sky currently control.
If the RFL are smart and get in a serious sports broadcasting rights negoiator at this point then the money that could come into the RFL and ultimately be spread throughout the game is a lot more than at present. Maybe the game could afford to increase current salary caps in all professional competitions.
Also a 2013 World Cup win would also make the national media have to take note of the top tier of the game at least. Allowing for greater exposure of the games stars and those commercial revenue opportunities that fall into the laps of other sportsman currently.
The downside of increased TV revenues would be at some superleague clubs that "blinkered" directors and coaches would want to fill up their squads with even greater numbers of "convicts" than they already do. Unless the overseas player rules are tightened up even more than currently, say by offering more from central funds to those clubs who sign less overseas players as has happened in county cricket, therefore rewarding clubs who seek to promote the most of the home grown talent that is available.
