Would need an organising body that can actually negotiate a TV deal that's best for the game as well, but a comp with a national presence and number one code status has got a hell of alot better chance of getting full national FTA coverage.
The trouble is, you confuse the word 'national' with the word 'capitals'. So many entities - namely AFL and the TV ratings people, think that there is only one place in each state.
Example: Here in the North Coast we get ads for 2 football teams.
One is the Gold Coast Titans. While odd (Newcastle is 180kms south, Robina is 600kms north) the ads blast out the Jetstar Titans, with where to get tickets, who they are playing etc. There is no attempt to connect the viewer with some sort of parochial need to go, other than 'Come and see the Jestar Titans take on Penrith this Friday Night" type of stuff.
The other is the Channel 10 ads for the Swans. The slogan "Come on Sydney, get behind your team". Taree is NOT part of Sydney!!!!
AFL, like a lot of people on the forum, don't understand that Sydney ends at Berowra, Emu Plains, Engadine and Campbelltrown. And 2 million NS Weshmen live outside that area.
Like when the AFL had a team on the Gold Coast, and called it Brisbane.
National doesn't just mean the Capitals. In Queensland, most people live outside the capital.
That's why League is so bloody strong. It understands that people live in lots of places that are not a state capital. It's the saving grace for the sports loving residents of Newcastle, Wollongong, Gold Coast, FNQ and Central Coast.
Some claim we need to match the AFL for League to suceed. What simple minded bollocks! If we were to follow AFL, we do need to have sides in Perth and Adelaide. Personally, I'd love to see the Rams and Reds back.
But to be national - as AFL is national, we also need to punt Canberra, Newcastle, Gold Coast, and NQ. Lets not forget the ACT either.
Realise that we are more than national, we are INTERNATIONAL. Auckland is a big city too. Should we also punt the Warriors?
League is leading the way in terms of spreading it's product to the people. To go 'national', league would have to shrink.