Our away numbers have been nowt to write home about this season, particularly televised games. I can't see more than 5/600 going to Bradford next Friday. I was at Widnes last Sunday, and there was only about 500 there from Rovers. Dropped right off compared to 2 years ago. We took far more to Widnes in 2006 when in NL1.

If that were the main factor, I would regard it as an error of massive proportions even on a pragmatic level.
1. Bradford are not that big. They had an excellent spell, but other clubs have done that historically. RL has two teams that are inherently big - Leeds and Wigan. Bradford are second tier - no shame in that, of course.
2. Even if it were Leeds or Wigan, you can only undermine sporting principles so far and still call it a sport... or expect clubs not to react in undesirable ways.

They might not be the biggest club but they are a big club.

Of course it's still sport, the franchise system is used in the biggest leagues in the world.

My point is that SL and RL would go on without Bradford. It would be a loss of prestige, but not a crippling one.
They haven't been saved as a SL club - though they [imight[/i be yet - just given a temporary reprieve, to maintain the integrity of the 2012 competition as much as anything, and possibly to cut certain people out of the loop.
I suspect they have been saved as a RL club, and that I'm pleased about that. If no buyer comes forward, it'll be interesting. You'd hope that given a season (in the Championship) under SL ownership, there'd be time for a supporters trust to get organised - which wouldn't be a bad precedent, actually.

Having franchises is one thing, having two sets of rules is another. It would give a green light to profligacy amongst the elite and would provoke resentment amongst the others. We bend the rules plenty, and maybe we do have to compromise on principle for the sake of pragmatic necessity sometimes - but only where the pros outweigh the cons.
I don't think that is what the RFL intend in fairness, so it's moot.
Oh, and all assuming the bid is accepted.

The OP in this thread maybe paints a clearer picture of what is happening... viewtopic.php?f=19&t=533959&tsmp=1343996602

The OP in this thread maybe paints a clearer picture of what is happening... viewtopic.php?f=19&t=533959&tsmp=1343996602

Has anyone considered that Sky might want to renegotiate the TV deal if Bradford were to drop to the Championship without being replaced as they would be getting less for their money.

This would mean even more clubs in the same position as Bradford because most SL clubs are struggling financially now so less money can only mean more clubs in administration.

I might be a pessimist but this all seems to another step in the slow long lingering death of SL, at least as we know it now.

I posted the below on the bradford board and they all put me on ignore and called me a troll!!!

Heads in sand!!!!!


I will keep this simple!

The RFL are a joke!

For the sake of rugby league in England, SLE must not be allowed to own the Bulls.

If SLE are going to pay the wages of the bulls players then the same amount of money should be given to every single SL club.

The RFL have dug themselves a hole and the rest of the SL clubs have to dig them out!!!

This is a joke, the RFL board need sacking and replacing with monkeys, I am sure monkeys could do the job as good as the current mod!!!!!!





I understand perfectly well what SLE are doing, and that all the clubs (supposedly) voted for the SLE take over.

What you and your blinkered colleagues can’t see is that this is dangerous for the game and for Bradford Bulls, who is going to come forward and buy Bradford now?

A buyer would have to........

A, Buy the ground back at 1.5m or lease it of the RFL (forever!).

B, Pay back the wages paid out by the RFL/SLE.

C, Pay back or not receive any SKY money next season as you have already had it!!!!

D, Re-Build a team from scratch, as the RFL will not pay massive wages next season.

If Bradford are not sold on by the RFL within a couple of months then I fear the worst for rugby league in this country, you tell me how all the other clubs can support a money pit of a club!!!

Throwing good money after bad has become a dangerous habit of the RFL in recent years, this take over makes no financial sense what so ever, and stinks of RFL incompetence again!

If the RFL did not own the Bulls ground then this would have been laughed out of red hall, the RFL are trying recover as much money as they can and save face, the first mistake was to buy the ground and attempt to cover up the poor state of affairs at the Bulls.

The Bulls have been a great team, but it is not up to the rest of SL to save you!

I support Hull KR not SLE or Bradford, I see no value in what the SL is doing!

So, you're not in favour then?

I think the truth hurts!!!