Super League offers bribe to save Wigan

[terracesider]

It's dangerous to assume that nothing will ever change and that the SKY contract will go on forever. Fashions come and go amongst TV audiences for sport, just like any other area of society. Now is the time for the RFL to be planning for the possible worst case, however unlikely. If it was an ultra-modern bunsiness, the RFL would have at least one director with responsibility for crystal ball gazing who would be doing just that.

I think the argument has been in part about how important the NL clubs are to the game's future and in part about how far those clubs have sorted their act out in the last few years.

Most ESL fans and the RFL doesn't seem to be very interested so it makes a change to come across anybody who thinks these things are worth discussing.

 

[nadera78]

I think there is a difference between forward planning and setting aside time and money on something as unrealistic as Sky dropping RL. The chances of it happening are, well, I don't think I'd like to put a figure on it because it's so small.

Having the game played in as many places as possible is, of course, the goal but clubs shouldn't assume that just because they have been around for 100 years that means they will always be around. Some just don't add anything to our sport, sad to say.

As a history graduate I have a certain feeling for the roots of movements, our roots are important to us both as a game and as a group of people, but we have always been inovators and if some clubs/people want to live in the nineteenth century then that's up to them, but they mustn't be allowed to hold the game back.

The NL's are important, but should the fallacy of competitive promotion/relegation be maintained merely because it appeases a few small clubs? TGG has always been open to change if it made sense.

 

[nadera78]

Oh and the jibe about northerners was only slightly tongue in cheek. They do like to have a bitch and a moan.:shock:

 

[fanatique]

The reality is wigan are THE league club in England and it is only natural there is concern at the prospect on a genuine heavyweight crowd puller going down. ESL needs wigan and everyone realises that.

 

[yankeerugger]

I would be ironic if the Harliquins were to get religated out of the SL, just as the RU Harliquins get promoted back into the premiership!

Would be nice if they could get BOTH their RU and their RL clubs in the top flight in one year!:lol:

 

[Padds]

League bribe from Sporting Life

Super League has announced a £100,000 bribe designed to safeguard Wigan's place in Super League.

Trust me when I say that this issue will not come up should Wakefield or Castleford finish as the lowest placed English club. But should Wigan finish bottom, this £100,000 bribe and a free place in 2009 will be offered instead to keep Wigan up.

It's a joke if you ask me. They should either scrap promotion and relegation and start 2008/9 with just the franchises they want, or let the divisions sort themselves naturally through promotion and relegation.

Once Noble gets hold of Wigan there wont be any danger of relegation

 

[SalfordRedsWA]

Jesus RL likes a conspiracy, doesn't it?

I wouldnt think Jesus likes RL.

 

[SalfordRedsWA]

The reality is wigan are THE league club in England and it is only natural there is concern at the prospect on a genuine heavyweight crowd puller going down. ESL needs wigan and everyone realises that.

Salford are the new Wig*n, so face the truth! :lol:

 

[MrCharisma]

I think what'll happen is that SHOULD Wigan finish last, they'll just say the NL1 club isn't fit to join top grade.

I hope that Wigan stay up because they bring so much to Rugby League. Plus I like em

 

[Padds]

I think what'll happen is that SHOULD Wigan finish last, they'll just say the NL1 club isn't fit to join top grade.

I hope that Wigan stay up because they bring so much to Rugby League. Plus I like em

Dont worry, Mr C, there's no danger of Wigan finishing last, Cas have got that spot claimed already.

 

[MrCharisma]

Yah I know... and I like Castleford too.

They need to get rid of promotion/relegation or fix it up. The promoting team never gets a change to recruit decently and get a somewhat competitive side.

 

[yankeerugger]

I can see the + and - to promotion/relegation...

the biggest problem I see is that newly promoted teams face a heavy problem in simply getting a fresh club up and running in a short time, to avoid the quick exit from the top flight.... encouraging short term success (or at least avoiding short term failure) over long term development.

I like the idea of allowing them a period of growth, like the Dragons have, where they are free to blood their own tallent, and not feel compelled to fill a team with imports. This will assure long term success for the club, and also help build local fan support.