Donnyman wrote:
When TWP came into the league they were flagged in by Nigel Wood. IIRC Nigel Wood never asked Superleague if they were OK with this, and I certainly don't recall them taking any SKY funding as all of that was fully allocated. I have the allocations which Martyn Sadler set out.
Of course Catalans got a slice of the pie, they were invited straight into Superleague when Richard Lewis wanted them to underpin the French national team. They were "wanted" and Superleague conceded International Rugby League was more important than Superleague. So SL & RFL conceded TV money to them.
"Guest clubs" differ wildly, one was asked to join the party because it was thought they would re-kindle GB.v.France Internationals like the day in 1990 when the French came to Headingley and beat Great Britain
The other "guest club" were only guests of the Championship, and Supeleague were not even asked if they wanted them. Superleague bosses made it clear in articles by Pearson and McManus they did not want them but they struck a deal when the RFL conceded the end of the middle eights and the MPG in return for TWP being allowed to go up within the current SKY contract. But NO Sky money.....Again Perez had conceded this and said once he got an NATV mega deal TWP would keep that and not share it here.
Elstone of course tried to get a better French TV deal but the idea he scuppered it by "asking for more" is like something out of Charles Dickens novel. Everyone asks for more in contract talks. That the deal got pulled is because the TV company didn't even want to carry on the existing deal.
No need for this "Robert Elstone ate my Hamster" stuff.
Bottom line - Catalans don't develop players and don't bring in any TV money. Sounds like a club we know don't they?? Catalans do spend all their money on a Marquee player instead. Sounds like a club we know don't they? The danger is Catalans go 2022. Gausch hasn't been seen at any SL meetings this year so go figure...
Cut the smoke screen stuff, about Catalan developing players, it's tiresome.
Regarding Elstone scuppering the TV deal. Only he and his negotiating team know the ins and outs of what happened.
However, there was a deal on the table, which Catalan were happy to take but, he and his team demanded more.
Whether it was an "Oliver Twist" moment, who the hell knows.
The one absolute certainty is that, walk away they did and now there is zero French TV deal, something that Catalan seemingly shouldn't be blamed for.
As to the amounts and time that Catalan should spend on player development.
Unless there is something written in black and white on a contract about their obligations, despite your displeasure, there is no case to answer.
Just for balance, which SL club gives a damn about improving England's chances of toppling the Aussies.
All of them are primarily bothered about themselves and our international record speaks for itself. Perhaps best not to mention the recent GB tour down under.
