Yesterday the the RFL released their Policy Review Document which has been the cause of so much controversy and led to the postponement of the EGM, rightfully in my opinion so that any debate would not overshadow the impending World Cup Tournament.

In my opinion I think it's a lack of confidence in the governing body (Nigel Wood et al) no Superlague sponsor for two years along with lack of leadership and direction.
Even with a live salary cap clubs like Bradford and Crusaders have been allowed to get into financial difficulties.

It's not been made clear what Ian Lenegan's alternative proposals are but from what I believe the revolting clubs are proposing the following changes to Superleague:-

Superleague to continue with 14 clubs as at present (27 games per season).
Promotion and relegation of one club from the championship from next season.
Return to the top 5 playoff.
Superleague league winners to go straight into Grand Final as fitting reward for the achievement.
A change to Superleague voting rights and redistribution of SKY TV monies.
To give Superleague a better marketing strategy and enhanced profile.
To enhance central revenues e.g. High profile sponsorship deals for Superleague.
Reduced RFL central costs and wastage.
To determine a clear focus on Superleague priorities.

If anyone has any further information to add and share it would help clarify this major issue that has split rugby league down the middle.

Gents its amazing how we can read the same thing and form so many conclusions

1. SL 1 get the same money
2. SL 1 becomes more competitive with less clubs and all fighting for the 8
3. SL1 9-12 have a great end of season scrap with SL2 1-4 for the right to be in SL1 the following year
4. Those SL2 1-4 have been the same Championship 1-4 for the past 3/4 years (league positions)
5. SL2 5-12 get increased funding and the chance to play against 2 current SL clubs home and away
6. Championship club gets promoted every year, meaning Tier 3 has great intensity
7. At least 2 current Championship clubs will go FT increasing the pool

If I was a broadcaster I would be interested in that, same as a sponsor, and if the RFL/SL cant sell that then all our competency questions are answered, btw I am a two tens believer who knows the closed shop current reality is killing the sport at all levels

Hi DaveO, 15 x 1.3m = £19.5m. Therefore as the split is 14 SL plus one then the deal has to be £19.5m pa on your numbers, if that is the case 12 x £1.3m = £15.6m leaving £3.9m for SL2 which I am sure you agree works even better

We are agreed that the selling of the sport we all love is abysmal, and without sales nobody has a business at all. We must make the package vibrant and exciting at all levels to get the best price imo we can then have real options in becoming the best we can be

That's why you're not a broadcaster. No one will watch the second and third tiers, just as they don't now.

That's why what they will be watching needs to be changed and be different than what it is now.

Now is a poor big fish in tank 1 going round in circles with hardly anything to feed on, occasionally biting it's own tail off or taking a nibble out of tank 2.

In tank 2 there is an even poorer little fish half dead floating on the top that's going nowhere.

When tank 2 finally dies off there will be even less to sustain fish 1.

Look what happened in finding Nemo, eventually he found his way home.


Much better than what happened in Jaws.

Bad teams are still bad, they will not be watched.

The old championship GF and NRC final often drew more than some SL games Suzy
The broadcasting of Championship RU also says different refn lower league rugby but you keep looking into your bubble love, I hope the whole package is far more exciting and easier to sell to broadcasters

The 2 biggest games of the year drew more viewers than what games exactly? London/Cas? Crusaders/Salford?

Nobody bothers to turn up to your games, never mind non-Leigh/Fax/whoever fans pay a subscription fee to watch the cream of the Championship take on the dross of SL1.

Leigh vs. Wakey, the mouth waters.

Where is this £19.5m coming from? The Sky money is £18m and I don't see any other source of revenue given there is no sponsor.

I think the comment was to do with the media through areas like TV and such as opposed to standing on the terraces.

In that sense how many games in SL are not only bad but outright dire and it seems like they last for 3 hours.
Shaun Mcrae and many other since first coined the phrase "knock on a thon" during an SL game some time back, it has since been applied to many games in SL so the same applies to them.

Many of the Championship matches have many saying what a great game of rugby that was and a credit to the game which considering how little support the teams have had is an achievement in itself.

As with anything if it doesn't work then try and fix before throwing the towel.

DaveO - you stated 1.3m times 15 that equals 19.5m, it is 18m I believe and that is 1.2m per share not the 1.3m you quoted