http://www.nrl.com/monday-morning-halfback-round-14/tabid/10874/newsid/87048/default.aspx
Time for Squad Numbers?
Another concept that has been on the drawing board for some time at NRL HQ with varying levels of interest is squad numbers on the back of jerseys.
The basic idea is that players have their own unique number with their name on the back of their jersey, similar to other major sports like the English Premier League and the NBA.
Australian basketball player Matthew Dellavedova’s Cleveland Cavaliers No.8 jersey rocketed to the top of jersey sales this week off the back of some incredible performances in the NBA Finals. His jersey is currently outselling every other NBA player in the USA, including superstar teammate Le Bron James and other jersey behemoths Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
The appeal of being able to buy a Billy Slater No.1 Storm jersey, Johnathan Thurston No.7 Cowboys or Shaun Johnson No.7 Warriors jersey would be great for both fans and clubs alike.
The model most mooted would involve clubs declaring their top 30 players at the start of the season. Starting fullbacks would still wear No.1 and halfbacks would still wear the No.7.
It would be a way for fans to connect and indentify more closely with their favourite players while also giving clubs and players a new revenue stream.
As always, the devil is in the detail.
Like the idea of names on the back but not stupid random numbers... been there done that super league