Franchising Rugby League : Thu Mar 23, 2017 3:06 pm  

The Yorkshire Post are reporting that Wakefield may consider selling their super league status and applying for a spot in the championship.
The price suggested is 1 - 2 million pounds with Toronto,, Toulouse, Newcastle and Coventry among thoughs who could be interested.

Is this a good move for the sport ? or is it just another Hull/Gateshead type deal.

Re: Franchising Rugby League : Thu Mar 23, 2017 5:32 pm  

BiltonRobin wrote:

The Yorkshire Post are reporting that Wakefield may consider selling their super league status and applying for a spot in the championship.
The price suggested is 1 - 2 million pounds with Toronto,, Toulouse, Newcastle and Coventry among thoughs who could be interested.

Is this a good move for the sport ? or is it just another Hull/Gateshead type deal.

They will sell and reform and hope to be in SL eventually this works in America but not here there's no such thing as a merger as Sheffield and Gateshead reformed

Re: Franchising Rugby League : Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:52 pm  

Do people believe this story to be true? The wakey owner and their fans would have to be mad to even entertain the idea. If they went down, there'd be no coming back.

Re: Franchising Rugby League : Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:14 pm  

Scratch that!

Cartwright has just just said on the box that if someone offered 2 million, then they would seriously consider it. I just don't get that at all, it would only make up what they'd stand to lose should they be relegated! Nuts!

Re: Franchising Rugby League : Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:40 pm  

It was apparently discussed at a super league chairman's meeting in February when it was agreed in principal that if any club wished to consider this, it would be accepted by the RFL.
It was also suggested it would take upto 2 years to complete any franchise deal with player contracts and club employees needing to be provided for.

But watch this space, as they say money talks

Re: Franchising Rugby League : Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:30 pm  

I heard Carter on Sky tonight give an update on this. Yes, he wants to stay in Wakefield, but knows without a move to a new multipurpose stadium, Wakefield will wither on the vine with small crowds, diminished money generating opportunity and financial struggle.

So all considerations and possibilities are being looked at. As things stand, he doesn't see a rosy future for Wakey at the top level without a change of multi purpose home either within the borough or further afield. I agree with him.

I applaud Carter for looking to the future to safeguard the medium to long term stability of his franchise and not being tunnel visioned on the here and now.

Re: Franchising Rugby League : Fri Mar 24, 2017 12:27 am  

The problem seems to be that if he "auctions off" the super league membership of Wakefield, the only medium to long term stability he will ensure is that of the purchaser.
Toronto Trinity (or whoever) would be in receipt of the sky money etc and be playing at the top level of the game.

Whilst the donor club would have the payment, they would still need a stadium to play in and be starting from scratch in a lower league with less income.
I don't see this as any guarantee of stability.

2 million would possibly be 3 to 4 years subsidy after which the club. would have to become part-time unless a major income flow could be secured. Which in Wakefield seem difficult at the moment.

Re: Franchising Rugby League : Fri Mar 24, 2017 8:24 am  

BiltonRobin wrote:

The problem seems to be that if he "auctions off" the super league membership of Wakefield, the only medium to long term stability he will ensure is that of the purchaser.
Toronto Trinity (or whoever) would be in receipt of the sky money etc and be playing at the top level of the game.

Whilst the donor club would have the payment, they would still need a stadium to play in and be starting from scratch in a lower league with less income.
I don't see this as any guarantee of stability.

2 million would possibly be 3 to 4 years subsidy after which the club. would have to become part-time unless a major income flow could be secured. Which in Wakefield seem difficult at the moment.

I feel very sorry for Wakefield and their fans the trouble is they do not get enough fans every home game to play in the super league so they have to take what they can to last

Re: Franchising Rugby League : Fri Mar 24, 2017 10:32 am  

If it means Trinity going forward as a viable championship side or disappearing of the scene then I would be in favour. What I would not want is a current side i.e. Toronto or even ourselves (if we had the cash) being able to buy the franchise. To me they should move the whole squad & staff (who want to) to a new venue as long as the owners have been vetted to assure viable finances are made available. Trinity could start a new club in championship one, use the cash to revamp belle view or a new ground & with the wealth of talent in the area push on to a better future.

Re: Franchising Rugby League : Fri Mar 24, 2017 4:33 pm  

Carter's no mug, he needs to force the stadium development through asap.

Changes to the league structure do seem to be in the air though. My guess is 14 a team SL & licensing to re-appear, possibly even by 2018.