Looking at the way the economy is headed and with the continued uncertainty surrounding people's jobs, I'd say any sport that is dependent on turnstile cash is going to struggle now. You'd have to expect reduced season ticket sales for next year, at all clubs. And the knock-on effect of that will be some cut their cloth (or cut their cloth further) but others will simply fold. That might be a lot of RL clubs.
The same body who would have paid them after the season ended I guess.
But, for players, their contracts might ordinarily be paid weekly/monthly over 12 months but are based on and offset against the annual income of the club; like any business. The club hasn't had any real income since March and that position won't have changed by the time furlough ends in October. So, where will clubs get the money from to pay players post-furlough?
Without detailled knowledge of the club's financial arrangements we can't even guess, but our non-contract expenses will be low, we have the ST cash in the bank, plus RFL cash (if any!). We also have VIQI in support of course though that wasn't it's original purpose.
A decision on the game tbis year would at least give clubs a firm picture and enable them to make some decisions. We also need to plan for next year's contracts and administrative and playing staff.
What is the RFL's take on things? Are they likely to loan cash from the £16 m to tide clubs over, or is that to help fund SL new signings?
Once the future for this year is known the club may poll the ST holders regarding their situation. I am sure that many will offer the remaing ST cash as a donation.That can be verified, but only after decisions outside the club's remit have been taken.
Re season tickets, nothing can happen until a final decision is made on the resumption of the season and, if so, whether any games will be open to spectators.
Leeds have offered a refund for games cancelled; a rebate on next year's season ticket; or for anyone not seeking any refund, they will have their season ticket price frozen for 2021; hospitality at a game next year; and entered into a prize draw for behind the scenes tour at the ground with Kevin Sinfield, prior to a game next year. This seems to be a sensible approach.
I would be interested in hearing news from the club about players leaving and those offered new contracts for 2021. Again, this may well be dependant on a decision about resumption of the game this year and when crowds are likely to be allowed at games.
A Leeds based solicitor has suggested that any team relegated from SL would have grounds for a legal challenge in view of the disruption caused by the covid-19, but suggests that promotion from the Championship to make a 13-team SL would be acceptable.
Surely, the disruption has an equal impact on the Championship/League 1 season and it would be unfair on those clubs who have players missing or impacted by local lockdowns, if they miss out on promotion.
The RFL just need to make a decision and stand-up to any threats of legal action. At least if the Championship season is curtailed, we can then plan for next season in the hope that that games can be played in front of paying spectators. That is, of course, assuming that the club survives the financial impact of the virus. I guess that a few may not survive.
Rather thsn play a scrumless game, which probably wouldn't attract a crowd anyway, scrap the league when furlough ceases, assemble next years squad and concentrate on a longer and more intense pre-season than we have ever had, under TS.
We could well have an advantage in that we have already had the shock of administration resulting in our shedding all but the absolute minimum of staff. At least half of our support see ST holders and that is in the bank atm. Admittedly there may have to be some refund or donation or reduced ST price next year but that can only be decided then.
Fans possibly allowed back in October, furlough ends at the end of that month.
Start a new season in late November?
Or try to play an abridged 2020 season anyway?
Rather than re-start an abridged season in October, it would make more sense to abandon the 2020 season and start again in February. There is unlikely to be promotion/relegation anyway, so there will be little point.
As has been said, we could assemble the 2021 squad after furlough ends and start pre-season, with a few friendlies in December/January.
LE reporting no P/R to be confirmed by Thursday, RFL wanting a £300k settlement which will go towards the running of an autumn competition.
Some clubs (I presume Leigh and Featherstone), unhappy at this.
Autumn Competition: an extra Cup or a shortened League with the Proper League starting in Feb?
Settlement from whom?
Any P/R would be a nonsense after a year like this one. Mind you clubs have been relegated in irregular circumstances (ie not being bottom of the table) IIRC!
£300k from Super League.
So that would be £12k per club if split amongst the non SL clubs, although SL want it using as Prize Money for meaningful competition.....
It is for Toronto
LE reporting no P/R to be confirmed by Thursday, RFL wanting a £300k settlement which will go towards the running of an autumn competition. Some clubs (I presume Leigh and Featherstone), unhappy at this. Autumn Competition: an extra Cup or a shortened League with the Proper League starting in Feb?
Why not an Autumn play-off for Championship teams to win promotion, with round one played in groups based on current league positions; the winner of each group to play in a semi final; and the winners to play-off for SL place. Personally, I would prefer a 16 team Premiership (SL) with all four group winners being promoted and, assuming TWP don't return, the group second place teams to play-off for fifth promotion spot.
I am sure that this would generate tv interest and could be played in November/December to avoid losing furlough money for August/September. Clubs would also receive income from crowd receipts, assuming that this is permitted.
Just a thought!
TBH making SL a wide international league was always going to be a problem , growing with every new overseas team. This was and is particularly true when climate conditions make their home grounds unplayable.
But if the international idea is what is valued above all else let's stay with it.
If the NA teams are financed as generously as TWP was in the first instance then why not accept them into SL straight off. You could give each team a two or three 'no relegation' starter to allow them to settle. Most of their players would be seasoned ex SL or NRL players so that should be a relatively easy task.
The lowest UK based team would then be relegated into the Championship, which is the inevitable future anyway if the SL is to become truly 'international'. Thus we speed the International SL project on its way. If the supply of international teams dries up UK Championship teams can rise to SL again. Numbers will need to be regulated and may require more than one relegation team in a year. This will make the international nature of the league more apparent.
There are probably four or five budding new applicants from NA and Europe so the final mix will become short on UK teams unless a limit is imposed on non-UK teams.
Meanwhile the Championship can regain some stability instead of being used as a training ground for the international clubs. International travel will always be a problem for semi-pro teams because of work commitments, the RFL/SL must realise that.
Jobs are not going to be easy to come by over the next few years and clubs in our position will have all on to fund and recruit new signings. The slow addition of relegated SL sides will enhance the Championship standard and hopefully draw in more supporters. A TV deal for the Championship may well be an option if Sky are covering the International SL.
No doubt there are things that I haven't thought about! I am sure someone will point them out!
Rochdale and Halifax already saying they won't be playing in the Autumn Cup.
£35k for winning the conference, £20k for runner up and then another £35k for winning the final.
Be interesting to see how many actually take part....