Tbh I can’t say ! The game overall is in such a ridiculous situation. The breakaway could become the championship clubs becoming a separate entity, back to where we came from. As it is the money is totally ruled by the RFL/SLE and we just trail along hoping for crumbs. What beggars belief is that the big money clubs have allowed this situation to develop where even they have no real authority, though only they know what goes on behind the scenes. How could Elstone have, in effect, no contract with conditions etc? It would seem that only a full scale revolt by clubs prepared to go it alone, with no cash from above, would change things.Some might but many will be dependent on external funds to survive. On top of that Sky won’t like being attached to something so schonky and they could pull the plug.
I think it has been mentioned on here before but I disagree inherently with the proponents who support a championship breakaway. I am not adverse to the championship but unless we are mixing it with the big boys, then what is the point
So we just sit tight and wait.
That is quite probably what will happen, and possibly go down with the ship, loyal to the RFL to the last!
And then teams would reform and have semi-pro like they used to and rely on crowds.
Anyone who thinks a Championship breakaway will succeed is living in cloud cuckoo land. It would just be bringing forward the above scenario a few years.
If there isn't the interest/money/fan base to watch it now either in person or on the tele then who do you think will after a breakaway? Not sure what the figures were for the Blackpool bash but will be low.
Only way a breakaway would work is if they do it as a whole, away from the RFL to get rid of the useless board, but as mentioned you would only get it taken over by some self serving chairmen from particular clubs. The game is dying due to the greed of the few and not seeing the whole picture. Better to have different voices and teams winning now, and the game still being around than loads of clubs going to the wall and there not being a game in 10 years time.
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?)
That should at least maximise the crowd which would help us, though many other Championship clubs play before crowds which wouldn't finance even a semi professional side. That, in the end, may decide the wider game in the future. Clubs were 'saved' via SL in the past largely because they were founders of RL. Perhaps that won't be enough now and either support on the terraces or a handout from a wealthy supporter will be a neccesity.
Such a major change could reduce club numbers and require a league reorganisation.
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.
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!!!
Theres little doubt the RFU were using money from the international game to support championship clubs - the support has been slashed as the money from internationals is now only TV money, which is terrestrial so not mega like their move to Amazon will be.
What was the payout to championship RL clubs in the last normal season - I seem to recall 170 K mentioned - is that the same for this season ?
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!!!