IMG partnership Impact

[Perth Red]

The partnership with img is often criticised but here’s some actual data of how the game is travelling in UK

13 clubs have improved their overall score from 2024 – three of them by a full point or more.

Fandom scores are up again thanks to a record-breaking season in Super League with an aggregate attendance of more than 1.62m, a record for a 12-team competition.

In addition seven of the 13 Betfred Championship clubs had an increase in their average attendance year on year, with League One attendances up by 7% on the 2024 figure.

The official average viewing figure across Super League fixtures shown by Sky Sports and BBC Sport was up 50% year on year.

It has been a spectacular year digitally, with 19 clubs achieving growth of 10% or more year on year, and the total number of social media followers across all clubs reaching 4.53m - up 18% from 2024 and +29% from 2023.

In the finance pillar, 15 clubs improved their score, and 11 improved their non-centralised turnover score indicating increased revenue opportunities.

In the facilities pillar, 18 clubs now meet Super League minimum standards – up from 14 in 2024.

in the community pillar, there have been a number of new foundations launched, with 31 clubs now having a foundation as a registered charity.

the SL grand final crowd was biggest since 2017

the SL gf audience was up 22% (following a 44% increase in 2024)

the ashes series is on track to be the highest attended rugby league test series in 70 years.

 

[Taking The Two]

Makes even more sense that we’re abandoning IMG’s thoughts and doing whatever random crap the owners want to do.

 

[NRLMad]

At the end of the day, reviews are required to ensure the competition continues to improve. Put aside the commercials, it’s generally good to get a comparison of club a vs b. Something we’re missing in Australia which really should be a focus. I think the same concept could be applied here and run by the commission. The product is killing it, the tv deal, new teams is a focus so that taken the focus for the last few years. We don’t want clubs just spending the money Willy Nilly. To think that the the nrl is so popular that they’ll make $600m a year on broadcast alone, suggests they’ll have a lot of excess. For those that don’t know the nrl has future proofed the game with hotel acquisitions totalling around $100m not sure of exact numbers but believe it to be so. I would be getting 100m per year in the new deal & continuing to do that. This will build a huge billion dollar base to launch off. Buying the ESL out would be a dividend of that.

 

[bad boy bubby]

The best thing that could happen for Rugby League in The Isles is if they beat the Kangaroos.
Forget all the data mumbo jumbo, passion will over take all that BS if they win.
And the Money will Roll Right In.

 

[Taking The Two]

An Ashes win wouldn’t change much, there’s then no rugby league for nearly a quarter of a year and no international games confirmed for anyone who does get on board to book tickets for in the moment when momentum would be high. The earliest England are likely to play a meaningful home international after the final test at Headingley is 2027, so 2 years after. Even if we were to beat Australia (we won’t), the momentum is killed dead almost immediately.

 

[Perth Red]

Makes even more sense that we’re abandoning IMG’s thoughts and doing whatever random crap the owners want to do.

Are ‘we’?

 

[Taking The Two]

Yes, yes, we are.

 

[Perth Red]

Yes, yes, we are.

Er no we aren’t as far as we know.

The top 12 img graded clubs will automatically be in SL 2026
two additional clubs will potentially be in based on a sensible a review of their capability to financially survive and build competitive squads.

there is no confIrmation one way or another if gradings will be used for 2027 or not.

 

[jason taylor]

Er no we aren’t as far as we know.

The top 12 img graded clubs will automatically be in SL 2026
two additional clubs will potentially be in based on a sensible a review of their capability to financially survive and build competitive squads.

there is no confIrmation one way or another if gradings will be used for 2027 or not.

Pretty much - the only issue with the IMG ranking model is the flaws that allowed Salford to compete in 2025. I assume the process to select the 13th and 14th teams are to avoid that problem - but the possibility of a repeat from one of the remaining “top 12” remains

 

[Taking The Two]

Er no we aren’t as far as we know.

The top 12 img graded clubs will automatically be in SL 2026
two additional clubs will potentially be in based on a sensible a review of their capability to financially survive and build competitive squads.

there is no confIrmation one way or another if gradings will be used for 2027 or not.

We almost certainly will be. Everything in the Beaumont colouring book of ideas is at odds with IMG and the relationship is all but done.

It’ll get announced in 2026 that we’re canning IMG, Custard Guts Wood and Beaumont will hail this as saving £1bn a year and pump themselves up as heroes.

 

[Perth Red]

Pretty much - the only issue with the IMG ranking model is the flaws that allowed Salford to compete in 2025. I assume the process to select the 13th and 14th teams are to avoid that problem - but the possibility of a repeat from one of the remaining “top 12” remains

I’d say the lack of focus on academy and player production is also a flaw In the grading system.

 

[Perth Red]

We almost certainly will be. Everything in the Beaumont colouring book of ideas is at odds with IMG and the relationship is all but done.

It’ll get announced in 2026 that we’re canning IMG, Custard Guts Wood and Beaumont will hail this as saving £1bn a year and pump themselves up as heroes.

You’re bemoaning something that hasn’t happened lol

 

[Taking The Two]

You’re bemoaning something that hasn’t happened lol

Well done for working out that an internet forum is where people give their opinions and beliefs.

 

[Perth Red]

Well done for working out that an internet forum is where people give their opinions and beliefs.

So you’re going to slam individuals for something that there is no evidence has or will happen. Wierd.

 

[Taking The Two]

So you’re going to slam individuals for something that there is no evidence has or will happen. Wierd.

Nearly as weird as your spelling, chief.

It’ll happen.

 

[Perth Red]

Nearly as weird as your spelling, chief.

It’ll happen.

It may, and I’ll have an opinion if it does. but to be so vitriolic on a hypothetical with no basis is just plain wierd.