Aren't you the one who old us there were 2 million AFL players in Australia?
AFL - over 2 million people registered to play. NRL? Not even close.
LOL
The Bears effected a genuine relocation before Arko and the NRL did the deal to save Manly's broke arse. Then the CRL stepped in and told the Bears to leave.
You're breaking my heart.
The Northen Eagles was Manly - name, colours, people. Manly were happy for The Neagles to fail because the dodgy deal said Manly then got the NRL licence.
meh..
The equation is simple: the Bears created the opportunity for the CC to have a team. The add-on benefits are it brings the north shore back to rugby league and maintains the traditions of the game - similar to the Swans and Sth Melb Bloods.
errr, the equation is actually even simpler than that.
The Bears aren't in a position to make any demands and with any luck, Greg Florimo knows that.
If he doesn't, the Bears have no chance at being the next NRL team...
As for bringing the Bears back, I'll say what a lot of people are thinking, f**k the Bears, they had their chances and f**ked it up by going into a JV with a hated enemy who did what we all expected, they f**ked them over.
If they get a gig on the CC, fine, but if they never get back in the NRL, that's fine too. Stay in the NSW Cup and cherish what you have, rather than covet what you can't have.