I know I will be probably be flamed after this post but I think it needs to be said. I think Rugby League is doing tremendously well for a sport of its size. The salary cap of $4 million is about right for the sport.
I often hear commentators going on about how the salary cap should be scrapped, or increased but lets just look at the facts; Rugby League does NOT pay its way. Now I know this is true of many sports but we are expecting the NSW govt to lower the tax rate for clubs on poker machines to pay players and develop junior teams. I ask you to think about that for a moment. Let the pensioners who have become addicted to pokies which has allowed numerous bowling clubs to close to pay for the wages of Rugby league clubs. Is this in perspective?
As a sport, RLis the national sport in PNG only. In Australia, RL is a distant second (I know Foxtel might argue) but come on, lets be honest with ourselves. In NZ, Rugby Union is bigger and always will be. League is rising slowly but will never overtake rugby. (Have a look at Warriors game crowds when the All Blacks are on). In England, RL is restricted to the northern coal mining areas of the North and third in the pecking order. This is not to denigrate the game but rather show that RL is fighting with the big boys as best it can.
Now, rather than put down other sports because RL is in a little trouble, lets see where we have come from, where we are and enjoy RL for the game it is. Quite simply, in terms of exposure, you are punching well above your weight.
I often hear commentators going on about how the salary cap should be scrapped, or increased but lets just look at the facts; Rugby League does NOT pay its way. Now I know this is true of many sports but we are expecting the NSW govt to lower the tax rate for clubs on poker machines to pay players and develop junior teams. I ask you to think about that for a moment. Let the pensioners who have become addicted to pokies which has allowed numerous bowling clubs to close to pay for the wages of Rugby league clubs. Is this in perspective?
As a sport, RLis the national sport in PNG only. In Australia, RL is a distant second (I know Foxtel might argue) but come on, lets be honest with ourselves. In NZ, Rugby Union is bigger and always will be. League is rising slowly but will never overtake rugby. (Have a look at Warriors game crowds when the All Blacks are on). In England, RL is restricted to the northern coal mining areas of the North and third in the pecking order. This is not to denigrate the game but rather show that RL is fighting with the big boys as best it can.
Now, rather than put down other sports because RL is in a little trouble, lets see where we have come from, where we are and enjoy RL for the game it is. Quite simply, in terms of exposure, you are punching well above your weight.