That is the sort of pro-active approach that I meant. A chance to really market the game in NA.
They ought to do it, but they won't want to put the money up. Denver seems to have cost them a fortune what with the promoter holding back payment.
That is the sort of pro-active approach that I meant. A chance to really market the game in NA.
They ought to do it, but they won’t want to put the money up. Denver seems to have cost them a fortune what with the promoter holding back payment.
But surely, if you listen to McDermott and co, the games will be played to a full house and broadcasters will be fighting for the tv rights!!!
How much have Fox paid for the tv rights to show the game in North America? Must be worth millions to the RFL!
Brian McDermott now saying that TWP should be given a second chance because NRL are coming down the line and SL should grab the chance to say they were first to bring SL to Canada. Good luck with that one NRL - teams travelling 9700 miles to play in Toronto. He must be desperate.
Come on Brian, why not let TWP be the pioneers of a North American League based in North America, aiming to compete with SL and NRL?
Brian McDermott now saying that TWP should be given a second chance because NRL are coming down the line and SL should grab the chance to say they were first to bring SL to Canada. Good luck with that one NRL – teams travelling 9700 miles to play in Toronto. He must be desperate. Come on Brian, why not let TWP be the pioneers of a North American League based in North America, aiming to compete with SL and NRL?
The man’s delusional, clutching at straws as he must obviously be aware that the vast majority of supporters don’t support the idea. If interest is so great for R.L then build an American League with the other interested parties. As for NRL coming down the line, does he really think we are daft enough to fall for that one😂
It has been reported that at least six clubs oppose re-admitting TWP into SL, with just Catalan and Leeds in favour. Warrington, Wigan and St Helens yet to decide. I guess that these are the clubs actually running SL, so whatever they say will happen. Interestingly enough, the RFL are backing their return, but SL CEO, Robert Elstone, is against.
The RFL really need to spell out clearly to clubs and fans outside SL, their long-term vision for rugby league in the UK and just how the NA expansion will promote the game in the UK. Do they want an elite international league, with say four UK clubs and no promotion or relegation. If so, they should spell out exactly how this will benefit RL in the UK and what is their long term vision for the domestic game in the UK.
I guess the SL clubs opposing the re-admission of TWP (Salford, Wakefield, Castleford, Huddersfield, Hull KR and Hull FC ) are more concerned about TWP taking a cut of the Sky money and their funding cut in 2021,along with the cut they already face from the re-negotiated Sky deal. I wonder if their view will change if TWP agree to forego central funding in 2021 in exchange for a reduced points reduction?
With covid 19 on the rise and a further lock down imminent, this may well do the job of the RFL by forcing a number of clubs out of existence. Perhaps that is their plan!!!
Frank maybe the clubs against them returning are not thinking about them having a slice of SL money. It was only for a season that they had an increase. Maybe they see common sense and realise the cost of travelling to Toronto (if they ever play a home game) and the effects of the travel and recovery time and also the unfair advantage Toronto will get for playing block games. Add this to them not producing players then this is enough for teams not to want them back in SL.
Am I correct in thinking that all 11 SL clubs need to be in favour of Toronto re-entering the competition for them to be reinstated.
If most clubs seem to be against the wolfpack's return, then the future looks bleak as I doubt they would want to return to the lower leagues.
Frank maybe the clubs against them returning are not thinking about them having a slice of SL money. It was only for a season that they had an increase. Maybe they see common sense and realise the cost of travelling to Toronto (if they ever play a home game) and the effects of the travel and recovery time and also the unfair advantage Toronto will get for playing block games. Add this to them not producing players then this is enough for teams not to want them back in SL.
I hope that you are right and this marks the end of the farcical international expansion. I am not sure where that would leave Ottawa, but with little chance of them playing any home games in Canada in the foreseeable future and unlikely to be accepted into SL in the future, they may withdraw. Otherwise, the RFL may see themselves drawn into an expensive legal dispute. Only in Rugby League!!!!
A breakaway is getting more and more likely if the SL demand no less than £30m. It would mean that the lower leagues get next to nothing but it just might make clubs take stock of their future status. Provided we are realistic we could make ago of it, and so would most.
Clubs like Leigh would have to think hard but I can't see them competing with well financed NA clubs, either on the field or off it. Better to go all out to set a new structure up for the benefit of non-SL clubs.
Lower SL clubs would have to decide how they see their future.
There isn't an obvious leader for the break, but that might change as the new SL plans start to unfold.
It has been reported that at least six clubs oppose re-admitting TWP into SL, with just Catalan and Leeds in favour. Warrington, Wigan and St Helens yet to decide. I guess that these are the clubs actually running SL, so whatever they say will happen. Interestingly enough, the RFL are backing their return, but SL CEO, Robert Elstone, is against.
He has always been against it, but couldn't be seen to be, hence having loads of stupid conditions that tried to put them off joining in the first place. Trust this clown as much as Fat Nige!!
That much?????
Putting bias away (I know that's impossible LOL) but.....
What do you reckon the outcome will actually be?
Try to put yourself inside the heads of Messrs Elstone and Rimmer, and predict what they'll decide!
Whatever they come up with, there be shed-loads who'll disagree, coz that's inevitable, but.....
In my opinion, Wolfpack will be in SL next term, and without a points deduction.
Whether that's fair, we'll leave for another time!
Spelly.
I believe TWP should be kicked out of SL and they would then fold.
Rimmer has said he supports the TWP case and expansion and has his eyes on a bumper pay packet, as the promised Perez tv deal brings in the riches (dream on), so will want them in. Elstone has said he would prefer a European expansion, but will support TWP case provided they waive their claim for a cut of the central funding.
In my opinion, TWP will be allowed in with a 6 point deduction and a promise to review central funding prior to 2022 season.
I despair of Toronto and their attempted devious scheme to rejoin SL using wages owed to players as moral blackmail.
Common sense says they should be treated in the same way as other clubs have been, and told to apply to the championship (with a points penalty).
But, IMHO it’s absolutely certain that Toronto will be re-admitted to SL, with the players union backing them up.
And, because it could put at risk the RFL’s expansion plans for North America there’s no chance of a points penalty!!
Decision time is approaching on the future of TWP, but apparently not tomorrow. It has been reported that Carlo LiVolsi will be given an opportunity to make a presentation to SL in support of TWP. Why he could not have been invited to tomorrow's meeting and what more can he say that has not been discussed ad nauseam, I am not sure.
Will he be giving out goodie bags of toiletries; pleading the case that this is the only way that players will be paid; warning that RL will take off in NA and this is the last chance for UK SL to jump on the money train; that Toronto is a beautiful city and this will give the fans (who can afford it) the chance to build a family holiday around games in Toronto; that a massive tv rights deal is just around the corner; that if they are not allowed back in, they will be responsible for killing RL in Canada, forgetting the total mismanagement of the club and the fact that Perez had agreed to waive payments from central funds when they entered the league and this should have been built into their business plan.
Apparently, there are 10 RL clubs in the Canadian League 1. In this case, can someone explain why TWP do not have any Canadian players and Ottawa are sweeping up players from the UK. If there is such a demand for RL in Canada and USA, why aren't the TWP/Ottawa/NY investors putting their money behind developing a NA league? Surely, that is the logical outcome of growing the game in Canada/USA.
TWP should be asked to clarify their position if they are relegated to the Championship either this year or in future years? Is it SL or bust? If SL/RFL are so supportive of a big city super duper league, why don't they just bring in Ottawa and New York and probably Toulouse and then close the drawbridge on other UK teams. They should also have the honesty to tell teams like Salford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Warrington, HKR and others who do not meet the criteria, that there is no place for them in the super duper league; and indicate how they propose to grow the game below this level in the UK (or indeed, do they care).
As it happens, it may well be that Covid 19 will kill off the game in the UK at the lower level and that RFL/SL may be the poor relations in any so called International League. The players union support it because it continues the payment of high salaries to a few Directors/Chief Executives and players, with no thought to the impact on the game at community level.
Greed will be the leading factor in reaching a decision, but the RFL should have the balls to indicate what their long term vision is for the future of the game in the UK and what benefits this NA expansion has for the domestic game.