Not sure you are correct Curtism. What do you consider a decent product? Are half of SL reaching that level? I would suggest not. The grading process would at the very least is arbitrary, looking at 3 years only favours under performing SL teams. You could argue that 5 or 10 years would be a better metric.

There are a number of irrelevant metrics whilst some important omissions if this process is to have any credibility.

Attendance growth at women's football has certainly been down to the national team. Sadly, our national Rugby team plays in half empty stadiums which tends to suggest teams in the North are not able to expand the supporter base much.

Most people that try a new sport, tend to have some sort of sports watching history so if they are all laughing at us, that view may well be relevant in trying to grow crowds.

Still maybe full house signs will be put up at Leeds on Saturday but that is still only 19,000.

I honestly think that the 7 Grade A Clubs deliver the best version in the current climate. As more clubs reach Grade A the sport as a whole will benefit.

I don't believe promotion and relegation is right for rugby league in this country. I believe franchising is.

Interesting, Curtism, (good evening, hope you are well?) that you think the only teams that present the best face of RL in this country are the exact same seven that IMG picked as Grade "A"s. Are you a bot?

Save for KR's lickle 'ollidy a few seasons back, those seven have feasted at the top table for years.

Has the game grown?

Morning
No the game hasn't grown, but one could argue a number of factors for that. Now that clubs have a clear(ish) roadmap to teach Superleague that isn't entirely dependent on survival, they can invest in infrastructure etc to make Rugby League more appealing.

Curt. Agree with you the game has not grown, personally am not really convinced it has the ability to grow, London aside the last 50 years has shown that.
Even with IMG there should still be prom and relegation of a sort, but they have to build in on field performance as well as the off field stuff they are currently concentrating on. Will img raise overall profile of the game, we shall see. 50 years from now will RL be a nationwide sport, not a chance.
Hope we can pull off a shock or two next year though and we can enjoy the ride.