Lol. Yes you did.

We don’t have until 2024 we must survive in SL at the end of 2023 because do we actually believe we would gain anything from applying from the Championship. They may say all clubs are treated the same but the Championship operates with a smaller budget, lower crowds and our ground albeit better than Castleford will still be let down by the West Stand. I don’t think refurbishing the plastic seats will gain us much favour with IMG.
Castleford will be downgraded on facilities but will gain points for their average league position, crowds, marketing and contribution to SL by actually reaching a final.

"Aaand, always look on the bright side of life........"

No just being in the real world not one that is inhabited by those who do not want to accept the reality of SL life.
I think you should refer to your own definition and see how it relates to us.

I think we've always been good at doing the stuff away from the first team: academies and community work. Where we have always struggled is financial stability and facilities.

We have sorted financial stability and facilities. The remaining matter is minimum spend. The main barrier to that is an outside investor, but of course guaranteed super league status might encourage that, so potentially we are further ahead than a lot of clubs. The ground half-way to being top-grade on all sides. Financially stable. Academy and reserves. Women's team. Community work. We tick every box, in my view, apart from the potential minimum spend. If an investor need only tick that box, we have the look of a category A club.

That is perhaps why JM is supportive

Can you point me to the criteria that teams will be judged upon?

Just my view based on what you would expect the criteria to be based on the previous review. I certainly don’t think our chances would be increased from the Championship, I guess you might but I do not.

You got all from a simple question?!

No our chances would not be improved being in the lower tier however nobody knows what the criteria is. It does sound like IMG are wanting strong clubs as opposed to just strong first teams though, which given the infrastructure that's has been put in place recently will stand us in good stead. Either way we need to stay in the top-flight to give ourselves the best chance of making it.

What happens if clubs dont accept the IMG proposals ?

On the subject of self interest, this is the main reason for having a strong and impartial governing body and I'm not sure that ours is either of those things.

Nothing. IMG are not the governing body, the RFL is, IMG have no stake in the game unless I missed something. They have been employed to re-build the sport but how many of us have been at companies who've paid a fortune for consultants only to totally ignore every recommendation made.

Very expensive window dressing unless the clubs drop all self interest and I'll believe that when I see it.

Vastman, I get that they are merely consultants.
However, on the basis that they are in position for 12 years? there will be an interesting conversation if their "root and branch" overhaul of the game, together with their recommendations are rejected.
Where would that leave them and the game?

I thought that I'd read that their plan would be implemented, regardless.

That’s my understanding that IMG have the authority to make the changes.

I’m pretty sure there will be some ongoing consultation with the RFL though.

My only answer is as I say, that I'll believe it when I see it. FWIW I think IMG will slowly disappear and their recommendations will be either ignored or watered down.

But who gives them that authority. The 12 club chairman, and what can be given can be taken away.

The original scenario if I recall was that IMG would take over the running of the game and then after overhauling the sport go out and attract private equity.

This may still be the aim I'm not sure, but seeing as it appears a vote is required, then IMG are not running the game IMHO, just advising. To me these are two distinctly different scenarios.

This is rugby league, nothing stays the same for long. We may have two or three seasons operating in line with IMG ideas and then tinkering will start, then wholesale changes and finally back to where we were at some point in the past. A couple of years at that and then the next bright idea will pop up.