Super League will expand to 14 teams

[KiwiStorm]

The RFL has confirmed that Super League will expand to 14 teams. No listing of which 14 teams have passed the qualification process yet, though.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3703310,00.html

 

[stormtragic]

I wouldnt be suprised if Celtic, Salford and Toulouse all come into SL and either castleford or wakefield drop out, or they merge..

 

[bartman]

The announcement of teams must be getting imminent.

By confirming now that it will be 14, I'd say the RFL has made it's mind up.

I'd still be surprised if both Celtic and Toulouse are given the green light at once, I don't think the RFL will have worked out how to deal with the "demotion" of one of say Cas, Wakey or Salford to make tyhe necessary room.

I'm currently thinking they'll buy themselves another 3 years to deal with that problem, and name Salford and Celtic as the two "expanded" SL teams, also allowing three years of more targeted development in/with France to pave the way for Toulouse coming in 2012.

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

I hope they drop wakey, and take in Salford, Celtic and Toulouse as Cas > Wakey on all the key indicators (i'm told)

 

[stormtragic]

Salford are a must, Celtic are must for Wales influence and another french team will boost sport
Castlefords crowds have been good dispite being last, I think Wakefield will miss out

 

[Knight87]

with the comp expanding to 14 teams (7 matches/round), will that mean that Sky Sports will televise an extra match (on top of the 2 they already cover)? Should they cover a Sunday arvo match?

 

[stormtragic]

with the comp expanding to 14 teams (7 matches/round), will that mean that Sky Sports will televise an extra match (on top of the 2 they already cover)? Should they cover a Sunday arvo match?

I would assume they would cover a 3rd game, but maybe another broadcaster will come into fray...either way hope they show more ESL over here

 

[dallymessenger]

with the comp expanding to 14 teams (7 matches/round), will that mean that Sky Sports will televise an extra match (on top of the 2 they already cover)? Should they cover a Sunday arvo match?

no.

Sky cover 2 SL games atm and one NL1 or NL2 game live on a thursday night.

thats not changing.

 

[Knight87]

Do you think the BBC will have any hope in the future of obtaining some SL matches? If not, who are the other potential broadcasters of picking up matches in the future?

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

I would assume they would cover a 3rd game, but maybe another broadcaster will come into fray...either way hope they show more ESL over here

Agreed,the more the bettter.

 

[stormtragic]

Agreed,the more the bettter.

I dont understand why Rugby League doesnt have own channel, AFL did and only played here... We got NRL, all various comps here, plus ESL and NL1 and 2, NZ, france etc...

If only lol

 

[deluded pom?]

Do you think the BBC will have any hope in the future of obtaining some SL matches? If not, who are the other potential broadcasters of picking up matches in the future?

I hope the BBC don't get anywhere near SL coverage. They treat the sport with contempt. All the patronising cliches come out and the commentators are abysmal. I'd like to see Channel 4 or Channel 5 given a go with the CC if they want to give RL a go.

 

[bartman]

Do you think the BBC will have any hope in the future of obtaining some SL matches? If not, who are the other potential broadcasters of picking up matches in the future?

Setanta picked up the rights to show NRL in the UK, so it could be if that goes well they'd be keen to come into the market for showing some Super League in UK/Ireland? That is, when the next broadcast deal is negotiated...

 

[Evil Homer]

Do you think the BBC will have any hope in the future of obtaining some SL matches? If not, who are the other potential broadcasters of picking up matches in the future?

BBC don't show any domestic sports league matches. Next to no chance that they would show RL. As Bartman said, Setanta would be the next in line. But it's irrelevant, Sky have exclusive rights for the next 3 years.

 

[The Clan]

Salford are a must, Celtic are must for Wales influence and another french team will boost sport
Castlefords crowds have been good dispite being last, I think Wakefield will miss out

Wakefield won't miss out,
They are behind a far as the stadium goes but on all other counts they are way ahead of all the other candidates from outside of SL + Castleford.

They are currently:
in the top six
in the Challenge Cup Semi final
Solvent
Have an award winning community scheme (up there with Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC)
Reside in the biggest UK City to be without a Pro Soccer team.
have genuine plans for a new stadium and have the funding.
produce a large number of Junior footballers (second only to Wigan and Poss Leeds)
Have one of the largest % of UK players in their current SL Squad
Existing stadium,while run down, has a capacity of almost 13,000
Average attendances are almost 8,000 (up 90% in the last 3 years)

 

[pcpp]

I'd like to see Celtic and Toulouse get in, and Castleford miss out with Salford also getting in.

Castleford have a strong dedicated support base in a tiny town but they're performing terribly and expansion to 14 clubs won't help them in this regard.

 

[stormtragic]

I'd like to see Celtic and Toulouse get in, and Castleford miss out with Salford also getting in.

Castleford have a strong dedicated support base in a tiny town but they're performing terribly and expansion to 14 clubs won't help them in this regard.

Celtic, Salford and Toulouse are the 3 musts.....which mean 1 current team has to go...and reading previous comment about Wakefield I suppose Castleford must go

But the 3 teams will add so much and grow the game in UK..

 

[bartman]

I'd be excited if both Celtic and Toulouse get in this time.

But I'd be surprised if the RFL is that adventurous, and also were that strong enough to decide to cut one of its current/recent SL teams from the 14. More likely imo that some of the clubs (maybe Cas, Wakey, Salford, Hull KR) be put on 3 years notice that one of them won't be around next time they go through this.

 

[stormtragic]

I'd be excited if both Celtic and Toulouse get in this time.

But I'd be surprised if the RFL is that adventurous, and also were that strong enough to decide to cut one of its current/recent SL teams from the 14. More likely imo that some of the clubs (maybe Cas, Wakey, Salford, Hull KR) be put on 3 years notice that one of them won't be around next time they go through this.

Salford and Celtic are the guarantees IMO, Need a welsh side and get Manchester full time in ESL.

Toulouse is in financial trouble so maybe they will miss out.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Matty Johns just said on the footy show that the teams will be Widnes and Celtic into SL next year.

I don't know how he knows, but the plot thickens.