Re: IMG Announce Proposed Criteria for Super League 2025 : Thu Aug 24, 2023 3:34 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

The most frustrating issue here is that SL is giving up more of its "product" for a diminishing return.

Or have they learned from the football and NRL model. If you give people access to all of it, they will follow it and take an interest and it grows the popularity. If you provide a limited selection, out of which only half might be decent games, does that generate interest?

The main worry is crowd attendances. Saturation coverage hasn't affected NRL audiences, but games in half-empty stadiums never look good. But how many casual fans are there, in reality? There are the hardcore who go regardless. Then, there are the people who take an interest but can't go to every game, for a variety of reasons.

But if saturation coverages attracts extra interest, that might attract more people who fancy popping along.

Sometimes, to get interest, you've got to remind people you exist.

Re: IMG Announce Proposed Criteria for Super League 2025 : Mon Oct 16, 2023 7:56 pm  

The preliminary grades were due to be released to clubs this week, however,
From MG Twitter
I’m hearing there has been a slight delay and the long awaited revealing of the IMG indicative grading table will now take place next week.

I guess IMG and the RFL, have a bit of last minute manipulation due to last Sunday match in France. I wish I could have seen the statement before they decided to change it.

Re: IMG Announce Proposed Criteria for Super League 2025 : Mon Oct 16, 2023 8:17 pm  

Dunkirk Spirit wrote:

The preliminary grades were due to be released to clubs this week, however,
From MG Twitter
I’m hearing there has been a slight delay and the long awaited revealing of the IMG indicative grading table will now take place next week.

I guess IMG and the RFL, have a bit of last minute manipulation due to last Sunday match in France. I wish I could have seen the statement before they decided to change it.

Doesn’t look good or professional at all.

Surely all scores are done but for a couple of small adjustments to the GF winners points for finishing.

Re: IMG Announce Proposed Criteria for Super League 2025 : Mon Oct 16, 2023 9:17 pm  

London getting promoted has just changed the landscape. I would bet good money on them being protected from relegation now making it harder for us to get back up unless they move to 14 teams, which a lack of money from the TV deal may prevent. Maybe i'm being cynical but this is what IMG said themselves back in December... https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/dec/15/london-img-transform-rugby-league

London getting promoted has just changed the landscape. I would bet good money on them being protected from relegation now making it harder for us to get back up unless they move to 14 teams, which a lack of money from the TV deal may prevent. Maybe i'm being cynical but this is what IMG said themselves back in December... https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/dec/15/london-img-transform-rugby-league

Re: IMG Announce Proposed Criteria for Super League 2025 : Mon Oct 16, 2023 10:50 pm  

After supporting Trinity for over 65 years am absolutely exhausted and dissilusioned by the status quo.Would really like to see the likes of ourselves, Halifax, Fev, Swinton , Oldham, etc , etc , break free and form a viable competition. I know it's ' pie in the sky' ,but feel Rugby League ha lost its identity and ' raison d'etre'.

[PopTart]

Re: IMG Announce Proposed Criteria for Super League 2025 : Mon Oct 16, 2023 11:18 pm  

Borderboy wrote:

After supporting Trinity for over 65 years am absolutely exhausted and dissilusioned by the status quo.Would really like to see the likes of ourselves, Halifax, Fev, Swinton , Oldham, etc , etc , break free and form a viable competition. I know it's ' pie in the sky' ,but feel Rugby League ha lost its identity and ' raison d'etre'.

And how would you finance that league?

Re: IMG Announce Proposed Criteria for Super League 2025 : Tue Oct 17, 2023 6:33 am  

PopTart wrote:

And how would you finance that league?

How is it financed at the moment? The club's don't appear to benefit from Sky deals

[PopTart]

Re: IMG Announce Proposed Criteria for Super League 2025 : Tue Oct 17, 2023 6:39 am  

REDWHITEANDBLUE wrote:

How is it financed at the moment? The club's don't appear to benefit from Sky deals

Oh yes I see what you mean.
I still don't see the point of breaking away.

Re: IMG Announce Proposed Criteria for Super League 2025 : Tue Oct 17, 2023 6:55 am  

PopTart wrote:

Oh yes I see what you mean.
I still don't see the point of breaking away.

I’ve often thought myself that there are many ‘lower’ clubs with big potential.
I’ve advocated before for SL 1 and SL 2, to bring to life such clubs as Widnes, Halifax, Featherstone, and now us!
Problem is finance. My idea wouldn’t work because clubs like Saints, Wigan and Leeds wouldn’t allow finance for it. They want the Money for themselves.
A breakaway league of the said championship clubs would get my vote all day long to get away from a one sided (putting it very politely) set up we have now BUT much more money would be needed than the championship clubs generate now! The league would have to be full time to attract the players of the right quality, otherwise all the best players would stay in SL.
As said, if it could be done it would get my backing all day long.

Re: IMG Announce Proposed Criteria for Super League 2025 : Tue Oct 17, 2023 7:32 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Doesn’t look good or professional at all.
.

It's never looked good or professional to me. The criteria is so vague and without clarity that it can be interpreted in many ways. I think that's the reason ,so it can easily be manipulated and definitions can be stretched to make it achieve the outcome you desire.

I have always thought it's good to improve the game in many ways off the field, but this IMG process looks nothing more than a sham to give more control and power to a few. I think we know who they are.