Re: Through a glass darkly : Mon Sep 13, 2021 4:31 pm  

Chris71 wrote:

It’s all well and good talking or spouting about the levels of unsolicited contact but what have they done in terms of converting these potential & credible partners in to cold hard cash in terms of sponsorship deals signed and sealed? Are they simply relying on unsolicited contact in the hope someone says here’s some money? There seems to be nothing credible or tangible in terms of what the RFL are actually doing in terms of strategic plans to approach markets to bring in sponsorship etc. It’s all just wishful thinking and hope, do they not understand to concept of selling the game?

Ralph talks a lot without actually saying anything

Re: Through a glass darkly : Mon Sep 13, 2021 4:51 pm  

giddyupoldfella wrote:

We have nothing to offer but a super league competition between teams mostly across the M62. We have no regular, competitive international Calender, no other representative games at top level. The Challenge cup format has been messed about with so much that that's no longer as appealing as it once was.

I'm useless with all the off field business side of the game, but couldn't the rugby league leave Sky and set up an online subscription service where they would have control of what they can show? Would that be more benificial? Maybe even partner up with the Nrl and show each others games across the World.

But we need some representive games and competitions to sell. People want to see the best playing against the best.

The problem with leaving SKY is that we would lose coverage from the casual watcher, an online subscription service actually means someone wants to watch it enough to have to pay for it, that limits it effectively to existing RL fans. Like it or hate it SKY gives us the most viewing figures we can get. We could maybe get BT or a.n.other cable / satellite broadcaster to take on SL but the likelihood is they wouldn't pay more than sky currently do and unless it was a much bigger contract would it be worth it to negate the loss of whatever sponsorship we have now. Terrestrial TV sounds great but non of the channels would be prepared to put SL on in any form of prime slot if at all.

Re: Through a glass darkly : Thu Sep 16, 2021 1:37 pm  

I was discussing this with my brother last night. The only hope we have of staying a full time, elite sport that we could work out was if the NRL were to take over the English competition, as they have much more bargaining power with FOX (SKY) and they also have a far better product, in terms of matchday presentation, analysis and refereeing.
The NRL chief is Peter V'landys is a no nonsense, proper hard boiled figurehead, who has caused some controversy, but who has also fronted up and toughed things out, when he needed to.
This is however a pipe dream. The game in Australia, although hugely popular is fighting the AFL (Aussie Rules), particularly at grassroots level, for dominance and , if you believe many, they are losing money hand over fist at most of the mid table clubs , so it is hardly likely to happen.
When you consider the change in the amount of coverage SL now gets in the UK , the amateurish presentation, key experts and actual competition quality since the SL was introduced , one thing is clear and that is that the game is in steep decline. It is dying a slow death and there is nobody bright enough to save it- I honestly believe that and, allied to the covid lockdown, their is a drop off in fan attendance and a general apathy to the game that I don't think can or will be reversed.
I feel sure I will get called out as negative and a plastic fan (I've been a regiular since 1975) , I've seen Hull in bleak times, but even with the incredible backing of the fans , who else can say they have the answer. The World Cup will be a disaster, seriously and not a competition Australia will take seriously. They'll send a squad over, sure, but it won't be with the likes of Mitchell, Tom Trabojovic, Cam Munster, Nathan Cleary or any Origin players , and yet they'll still absolutely smash us. Where are the star players now? Where are the Maguires, Lomgs or Farrells of the game? We have Sam Tompkins who is genuine class, Bateman when he is motivated and posssibly Luke Thompson, although he's not even the best prop at the Bulldogs. No, I am afraid SL is poop and nobody has a clue or the inclination to save it.

Re: Through a glass darkly : Thu Sep 16, 2021 6:17 pm  

GrahamBray wrote:

I was discussing this with my brother last night. The only hope we have of staying a full time, elite sport that we could work out was if the NRL were to take over the English competition, as they have much more bargaining power with FOX (SKY) and they also have a far better product, in terms of matchday presentation, analysis and refereeing.
The NRL chief is Peter V'landys is a no nonsense, proper hard boiled figurehead, who has caused some controversy, but who has also fronted up and toughed things out, when he needed to.
This is however a pipe dream. The game in Australia, although hugely popular is fighting the AFL (Aussie Rules), particularly at grassroots level, for dominance and , if you believe many, they are losing money hand over fist at most of the mid table clubs , so it is hardly likely to happen.
When you consider the change in the amount of coverage SL now gets in the UK , the amateurish presentation, key experts and actual competition quality since the SL was introduced , one thing is clear and that is that the game is in steep decline. It is dying a slow death and there is nobody bright enough to save it- I honestly believe that and, allied to the covid lockdown, their is a drop off in fan attendance and a general apathy to the game that I don't think can or will be reversed.
I feel sure I will get called out as negative and a plastic fan (I've been a regiular since 1975) , I've seen Hull in bleak times, but even with the incredible backing of the fans , who else can say they have the answer. The World Cup will be a disaster, seriously and not a competition Australia will take seriously. They'll send a squad over, sure, but it won't be with the likes of Mitchell, Tom Trabojovic, Cam Munster, Nathan Cleary or any Origin players , and yet they'll still absolutely smash us. Where are the star players now? Where are the Maguires, Lomgs or Farrells of the game? We have Sam Tompkins who is genuine class, Bateman when he is motivated and posssibly Luke Thompson, although he's not even the best prop at the Bulldogs. No, I am afraid SL is poop and nobody has a clue or the inclination to save it.

Few can argue with that really. The thing is the current leadership in our game is simply not up to it he (they) have made mistake after mistake and then go missing when the going is really tough. There is a lot to do and perhaps some things are past saving now, what we need first and foremost is a strong charismatic figurehead of a leader in the game. We need a no nonsense Peter V'landys type character who will fight up front for the game and lead it forward, however where we get one from is anyones guess.