Re: 2 week delay to start of season : Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:39 am  

Ruddy Duck wrote:

Drop the loop fixtures and just play the basic 22 home and away league games and Challenge Cup games which I understand will this year be only play by the profesional clubs.

That should be sufficient in what will be another year of turmoil, especially with a World Cup near the end of the year.

And I'll ask you again where does the money come from?
There is an agreement in place with the BBC and the sponsors for the Challenge Cup, the clubs need that money, you can't just walk away from it, just as we didn't last year.

There will also be a contract with Sky and Betfred to fulfil which will require a minimum number of games to be televised. That can be overcome by televising more games per week.

Re: 2 week delay to start of season : Thu Jan 14, 2021 11:26 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

And I'll ask you again where does the money come from?
There is an agreement in place with the BBC and the sponsors for the Challenge Cup, the clubs need that money, you can't just walk away from it, just as we didn't last year.

There will also be a contract with Sky and Betfreed to fulfil which will require a minimum number of games to be televised. That ca]n be overcome by televising more games per week.

There will come a point in time where all fixtures cannot be fulfilled because of the world cup and fixtures will either have to be dropped or scheduled for mid week games.

You cannot keep pushing things to the right.

What would be better for clubs? Dropping some loop fixtures and Sky reclaiming some money back or getting some live crowds back?

Re: 2 week delay to start of season : Thu Jan 14, 2021 11:32 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

And I'll ask you again where does the money come from?
There is an agreement in place with the BBC and the sponsors for the Challenge Cup, the clubs need that money, you can't just walk away from it, just as we didn't last year.

There will also be a contract with Sky and Betfreed to fulfil which will require a minimum number of games to be televised. That ca]n be overcome by televising more games per week.

Those who advocated cancelling the season last year or significantly reducing games in the upcoming one haven't been in touch with the financial realities of the sport. For some it seems it simply doesn't come into their thinking.

The clubs did have to give up some of the Sky money last year, even with the increased number of games televised. I would have thought the amount of games shown in 2020 was similar to 2019 but the rebate was likely owed due to the games being played across a 4-5 month period rather than 9-10.

Re: 2 week delay to start of season : Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:52 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Those who advocated cancelling the season last year or significantly reducing games in the upcoming one haven't been in touch with the financial realities of the sport. For some it seems it simply doesn't come into their thinking.

The clubs did have to give up some of the Sky money last year, even with the increased number of games televised. I would have thought the amount of games shown in 2020 was similar to 2019 but the rebate was likely owed due to the games being played across a 4-5 month period rather than 9-10.

I assume there is also a clause in the Sky contract that dictates what days / times the matches need to be played to maximise Sky's audience and hence advertising revenue. Movement away from this may also result in giving some money back to Sky.

Re: 2 week delay to start of season : Sat Jan 16, 2021 11:13 am  

vhttps://www.seriousaboutrl.com/league-latest-leeds-sign-nrl-prop-toronto-wolfpack-update-clubs-make-israel-folau-offers-36354/?fbclid=IwAR0yr5Q9HbGqiOtrzdV4eWKZskSzbYxeMTRyof90xSBPIVItmKqNyusBptE hope its not true about easter

vhttps://www.seriousaboutrl.com/league-latest-leeds-sign-nrl-prop-toronto-wolfpack-update-clubs-make-israel-folau-offers-36354/?fbclid=IwAR0yr5Q9HbGqiOtrzdV4eWKZskSzbYxeMTRyof90xSBPIVItmKqNyusBptE hope its not true about easter

Re: 2 week delay to start of season : Sat Jan 16, 2021 11:32 am  

Pieman wrote: vhttps://www.seriousaboutrl.com/league-latest-leeds-sign-nrl-prop-toronto-wolfpack-update-clubs-make-israel-folau-offers-36354/?fbclid=IwAR0yr5Q9HbGqiOtrzdV4eWKZskSzbYxeMTRyof90xSBPIVItmKqNyusBptE hope its not true about easter How do you mean? I'd rather have Wigan v Saints later in the year in front of fans than on Good Friday in front of no fans. I'm sure the supporters from both Hull teams would feel the same about their game.

Pieman wrote: vhttps://www.seriousaboutrl.com/league-latest-leeds-sign-nrl-prop-toronto-wolfpack-update-clubs-make-israel-folau-offers-36354/?fbclid=IwAR0yr5Q9HbGqiOtrzdV4eWKZskSzbYxeMTRyof90xSBPIVItmKqNyusBptE hope its not true about easter How do you mean? I'd rather have Wigan v Saints later in the year in front of fans than on Good Friday in front of no fans. I'm sure the supporters from both Hull teams would feel the same about their game.

Re: 2 week delay to start of season : Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:21 pm  

What if that doesnt happen? What if fans arent allowed in until lets say August and and the game has already been played then regardless, would you rather have it on good Friday then?

Re: 2 week delay to start of season : Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:24 pm  

Pieman wrote:

What if that doesnt happen? What if fans arent allowed in until lets say August and and the game has already been played then regardless, would you rather have it on good Friday then?

I'd rather take that chance of the game being played later than definitely NOT being played on Good Friday.

Re: 2 week delay to start of season : Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:42 pm  

Good Friday is my favourite day of the year without doubt, but no fans at the game just isn't the same.

Play them both as late as possible with as many fans as possible.

Re: 2 week delay to start of season : Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:05 pm  

Pieman wrote:

What if that doesnt happen? What if fans arent allowed in until lets say August and and the game has already been played then regardless, would you rather have it on good Friday then?

Not sure I understand your point. Agree with the two comments above, do what we can to give those games a chance of being in front of fans. It's better from an enjoyment perspective and from a financial perspective as they will surely sell out if full crowds are back at some point this year (I've no idea how likely that is).