I think a lot of us agree the NRL-US name is unwise. As to the logos, Niu claimed there would be new names for all the teams.
The AMNRL supposedly has agreements to be allowed to borrow NRL logos for their league. I think the AMNRL is considered semi-pro anyway.
Look, I said it before, in the best of times it's difficult to start a new league. What people object to are the lack of announcements on anything. If the league is to be delayed, at least have the guts to admit it on your website. This should have happened on September at the latest, when it was obvious it was a no-go.
As to formal team alliances to NRL teams, I would suggest a partnership (not a money one, a barter one), where NRL and SuperLeauge teams can align with an American-based pro team if they want to, but after five years, the American league is on their own and can buy and sell players just like the big boys. My biggest complaint with MLS (besides the low pay) is that teams like Real Salt Lake still have an affiliation (albeit only marketing) with Real Madrid. Time to be weaned.
Until then, what we need is an agressive effort not just to start a pro league, but set up the non-profit infrastructure to get the games in the high schools. You have legit high school competitions in the Spring and this game is going to take off. (My "Gridiron Rugby" idea is just one way to approach it.) NO business plan for a pro league should be without a serious plan to grow the game in the high schools.
We also need the NRL and SuperLeague to help whet the appetites by getting the games on American TV and promoting the website for the American pro league like SpikeTV promoted the AMNRL website during the NRL playoffs. That will help a lot.
The reality is that Niu, for all his efforts growing the semi-pro league, has to realize that going pro requires a lot more professional help than he apparently wants to admit. I say apparently because he won't say anything public to confirm or dispute any of this.
