When we played Leigh in Blackpool two years ago, the viewing figures were 87k. Not sure how that compared to say a big RU Championship Match on Sky….. I think it is the case that we may be reverting back to the approach of maybe only having the Grand Final on TV in the Championship (were we not on Granada when we won it in 2001?)
So whilst that's decent in RL terms that there were enough fans watching that could fill a few grounds, if a TV show got 87k views it would be cancelled in a heartbeat, especially if in anything like a prime time slot.
The RFU was (until recently) in a position to hand over £550k a year to the championship clubs, almost certainly on the back of the international game. This help clubs stay at a reasonable level and helps produce players. Whilst there is all the old historical issues, union is played in quite a few countries and no doubt the European Cup amongst other things helps add to the profile & more importantly the strength of the game, in the same way the Champions league does in Football.
Unfortunately RL is very unlikely to ever be in this scenario. It all helps the international game as well.
The fact that RL is paying such a whack to it's board whilst everything else is crumbling is ridiculous.
If the deal is halving then the RFL board (As a whole) will now get paid more than a club does. Let that sink in just how insane that is, especially based on the job they're doing!!!
Agreed, plus SL had to fork out over £500k in fees over the non-starter Private Equity deal.
No wonder they wanted to take our academy money off us.....
There’s absolutely no chance that the ‘mismanagement’ board will reduce their own whack.
There’s absolutely no chance that the ‘mismanagement’ board will reduce their own whack.
That is for sure!!!
Just waiting to see how much Elstone will want to get out of his office!!! And make no mistake - he will decide, just as Nige did, and he won't be cheap.
It will be interesting to get Elstone's version of events of this fiasco. Can't wait for the new series from Peter Kaye "Rugby League: Comedy Nights!!!"
I don't blame Elstone at all. He was paid a big salary (£400,000) and no doubt brought in a new team to help him, and then had his hands tied by having to get agreement from 12 Directors for any change. Did anyone consider the role of RFL in all this? Just who does Rimmer (on £300,000 and no doubt any expensive team behind him) represent? Whose interests is he supposed to represent - other than his own?
I think RL is a joke and the present leaders are running the game into the ground on the back of self interest. Do the likes of Leneghan, McManus, Moran, Beaumont etc care about the future of the game or just their short term insular interests?
Maybe someone will emerge who sees a long term future for RL and can string together a coherent strategy to plan for the future development of the game from grass roots up. What will they see as a success? A thriving game at local level with increasing crowds and funds distributed to promote and develop the game at all levels; or a dream of a small core of 8-12 teams retaining central funding for their own purposes and no concern for the game below this level?
I have watched RL all my life, but cannot see any future for the game if the current track is followed. Hopefully, some leaders will emerge who cans see beyond self interest and will open a wide ranging discussion throughout the game about the future of the game - that is if there is a future for RL of which I am increasingly doubtful.
There’s absolutely no chance that the ‘mismanagement’ board will reduce their own whack.
I think I've heard that scenario somewhere else...
Jimmy Rule for SL CEO?
Stranger things have happened......
Its ok though, New York and Ottawa are going to bring millions to the game.....
Jimmy Rule for SL CEO? Stranger things have happened…… Its ok though, New York and Ottawa are going to bring millions to the game…..
"JR for SL CEO", I am surprised he is not already there with his connection.
Jimmy Rule for SL CEO? Stranger things have happened…… Its ok though, New York and Ottawa are going to bring millions to the game…..
“JR for SL CEO”, I am surprised he is not already there with his connection.
At least, he would not be a lonely leader with 12 SL Chairmen/Chief Executives telling him what to do!!!
Why doesn't the sport just be honest with itself and face up to the fact that RL is a regional sport at best played at a semi-professional level.
Those are its strength's and not it weaknesses.
I am fed up with the games administrators (and Sky) trying to kid us all that the whole world really does want to watch RL, when the plain reality is that it doesn't.
It simply cannot afford all of the expensive overseas players, coaches and administrators and the renting of big fancy football stadiums just to try and have us all believe that the game is a 'big player' on the sporting stage.
It needs to stop craving attention and trying to punch above its weight and get back to its core values.
Then it may get somewhere.
Indeed, maybe the fallout from the pandemic will result in a bit more honesty and integrity within the sport.
I, for one, can only hope so.
At least, he would not be a lonely leader with 12 SL Chairmen/Chief Executives telling him what to do!!!
And none of them knowing what notice he had to give!