Re: Franchises need to be scrapped : Mon May 16, 2011 12:27 pm  

Liam, pal, just think about what you're saying here.

Sheffieldliam wrote:

I think (& hope) next time round in 2015, 2 clubs will be put into SL and no-one will be dropped down to make a 16 team SL.

We've just got to a stage where everybody plays everybody else home and away - plus the Magic Weekend. If we have 16 teams, are you going to fit four extra games in ? If so, where ? Or are we going to go back to missing some opponents out ?

My idea would be that a club who wins promotion can only be promoted if they meet certain criteria (ground, crowds etc) a bit like if say Oldham gain promotion to Super League but can't enter as their ground isn't up to the required standards. If the club can't go up they receive a handsome cheque and the relegation doomed SL club can then live to fight another day.

Bit like franchising then. Only more expensive. What will the club do with the cheque ? Anything they want or will they have to spend it on something specific ? Because if you let them spend it on what they want, it'll be better players, so they win the comp in the following season, get rejected again, get another cheque, win the comp again, get rejected again, get another cheque ..... etc

Re: Franchises need to be scrapped : Mon May 16, 2011 12:38 pm  

frankb wrote:

Course franchising is daft. It is an alien concept for professional sport in this country ....

Basketball has franchising.

Ice Hockey has franchising.

Rugby Union has franchising.

In soccer ....

The Irish League has franchising.

The Welsh Premier League has franchising.

The Scottish Leagues have franchising.

The Football League has franchising.

The Premier League has money instead.


OK, the precise requirements vary, but they all have to meet certain criteria.

Re: Franchises need to be scrapped : Mon May 16, 2011 12:43 pm  

Entrance criteria and franchising are two wholly different things, Griff. In fact, the only criteria in much of those mentioned above are in relation to stadium grading.

Re: Franchises need to be scrapped : Mon May 16, 2011 12:51 pm  

The thing is okay we have a 14 team league with a home & away game which is good but the league will be expanded over time, what do you suggest we do?

Mate, I'm not saying my ideas are brilliant & I think Franchising is overall good for the game but at the moment clubs like leigh who have the ground, fans and team have to wait 3 years to find out whether or not they will get in.

If next time say they don't get in, what then for the fans, more waiting around in the Championship for a chance in 2018?

I'd think alot except the for the hardcore & loyal will stay at home, save their money and watch SL on SKY or maybe even jump ship & go watch Saints, Wigan or Wire, higher quality rugby with 10,000 other people rather than waiting around for SL to come knocking in 2033

A situation were clubs can apply every year based on the previous 3 years perhaps..

Re: Franchises need to be scrapped : Mon May 16, 2011 12:57 pm  

Sheffieldliam wrote:

The thing is okay we have a 14 team league with a home & away game which is good but the league will be expanded over time, what do you suggest we do?

I'm suggesting we don't expand the league just because we're too soft to throw someone out.

Re: Franchises need to be scrapped : Mon May 16, 2011 12:59 pm  

Leyther_Matt wrote:

Entrance criteria and franchising are two wholly different things, Griff. In fact, the only criteria in much of those mentioned above are in relation to stadium grading.

We'll have to disagree, Matt.

Re: Franchises need to be scrapped : Mon May 16, 2011 1:17 pm  

Sheffieldliam wrote:

Mate, I'm not saying my ideas are brilliant & I think Franchising is overall good for the game but at the moment clubs like leigh who have the ground, fans and team have to wait 3 years to find out whether or not they will get in.

Ironically, Liam, the reason they couldn't apply this year is that they won nowt. Which is precisely the one criterion that the fans want.

Re: Franchises need to be scrapped : Mon May 16, 2011 1:59 pm  

deluded pom? wrote:

Is Sheffield Eagles a "heartland" club. There are plenty of "heartlands" club fans who would jettison Sheffield tomorrow if they felt it improved their own club's chances of reaching the promised land.

Well our attempts to be labelled an "expansion/development club" were rebuffed a while ago by the RFL, and Dewsbury is only 20mins away, so yes, I'd say we are.

Re: Franchises need to be scrapped : Mon May 16, 2011 2:10 pm  

Yes, Badvibes, it's official. We're a "heartlands" club because then the RFL don't have to give us any money.

Re: Franchises need to be scrapped : Mon May 16, 2011 4:32 pm  

Dr Badvibes wrote:

Well our attempts to be labelled an "expansion/development club" were rebuffed a while ago by the RFL, and Dewsbury is only 20mins away, so yes, I'd say we are.

Fair enough.