ESL governance

[terracesider]

ESL has a new system of governance.

Specifically, the new system confirms that the member clubs have autonomous control over the competition’s title sponsorship, primary broadcasting rights, playing format and number of playing rounds.

The system also reaffirms that the RFL has autonomous control over the competition’s membership criteria, the operational rules, disciplinary rules, prosecution and tribunals, the playing rules, Match Officials and the fixture list.

Significantly, the RFL and the member clubs will jointly control the number of clubs to play in engage Super League in any one season and the competition’s Salary Cap Regulations. Amendments to these areas cannot be made if the other party offers a veto.

http://www.superleague.co.uk/news/3456

Make of it what you will. I doubt it will make any practical difference. The big clubs will call the shots, as they have always done.

 

[bowes]

It means that the SL clubs can't vote to expand/contract the league without the RFL agreeing it, thus there will be a relegated side this year, even if Wigan are bottom. Also they need RFL permission to change the salary cap, although they'd usually go with the clubs there.

SL clubs can do things like shorten/lengthen the season.

The RFL are strongly opposed to changing the rules mid-season (they didn't used to be, but Richard Lewis does a good job) especially something like keeping Wigan up which would cause all sorts of practical problems anyway (lost revenue from home games and leaving another odd number in the national leagues, also they couldn't really ever relegate another team without it going to court).

 

[bartman]

Clubs controlling the number of rounds could be a worry, in terms of ever achieving an in sync international calendar or meaningful rep fixtures. Even if sponsorship and broadcasting rights go up, clubs would be more likely to stick with the longer season and more cash, wouldn't they?

 

[terracesider]

The problem with this sort of policy document is that the printed word does not always reflect the political reality. Are we really to believe that the RFL is going to veto anything the ESL club chairmen want?

If Wigan finish bottom and the chairmen want them back in next season,I expect that is what will happen. Technically the RFL, not ESL, will have made the decision and the chairmen can do their Pontius Pilate impersonations.

Richard Lewis has been very impressive but he's only an employee and I wouldn't give much for his chances of staying in the job if he takes on Lindsay, Hetherington and company.