Your view my post is stupid shows your commercial ignorance and is an emotional view which I respect, but sadly emotions unfortunately dont pay the bills.
Sydney leagues clubs cannot make money since the changes to poker machine laws and general ageing of the generation that actually wanted to go to leagues clubs for social fun. The whole NSW club system is under enormous threat and only survives on the remaining generous tax structures. I known the industry well as a specialist.
The football clubs, now with limited leagues club funding, in Sydney, compete in a congested economic market with insufficient 3rd party funding to support the number of clubs and the low fan bases complicate the matter - crowds are not growing which is a big concern given the population has grown. It is a tribal game which has strength and weaknesses.
I didn't say I want to merge with cronulla but my 12 team concept is a way to make rugby league great again. People are scared of change but it is inevitable in all walks of life and the alternative is you will probably wave goodbye to several Sydney clubs within 10 years (max) and our Mighty Great proud club is probably at the lowest odds to be first.
I was , to an extent , ignorant of that side of the game , however both of your posts have now enlightened me to the realities that are , and could possibly be . Your original post reveals a glimpse of the possible future of the game , as horrendous as that maybe , never the less, still a possibility.
Sheridan
I wonder what would actually happen if the NSW RL told the NRL to tell Ch 9 and Fox to stick it in their arse.
The worst IMO that could happen is the 2nd Division NSW Cup would become the 1st grade comp.
Now everyone will say that if the players don't get paid big $$$ we won't have a comp but I am not so sure that will be the case.
Many of RL players are not the brightest people and if confronted with dropping from a $300k contract to say a $50K contract would they walk away from the game or would they be like Shannon Wakeman who combines footy with a real job?
The game has evolved from a working man's game with working class blokes playing it into a huge sport with prima donnas badly behaving, being overpaid and the working man barely able to afford to go to the game.
If there was only a few games broadcast like the old days the fans would most likely get back to the suburban grounds and support their teams.
Lot's of great players held job at the same time as playing for the Dragons and of course some went on to be legendary and to be honest very few legends have emerged since they became fully time professionals.
We have been duped as the supporters into believing all the media about "they have to earn big $$$ because they only play for a few years".
To that I would say "well piss off because there is somebody who will take your place tomorrow and despite the fact he might not be as good he will wear the jumper for the right reason".
Money and the media have ruined this game.
Ever so true , Old Timer .
Yes it would seem that the NRL dances to the tune , of the puppeteer , the Media,
and of course to the grand master , the media moguls themselves , their interest being the almighty dollar .
Also , there certainly would be plenty of players , of lesser abilities , who would jump through a hoop if necessary , to gain a contract of far lesser value than what is being demanded by the Princes of today's game .
Should that scenario ever eventuate , who knows , perhaps pride and loyalty will once again return to all Rugby League Clubs and the game in general .
