Re: When the season resumes : Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:28 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

The CC might fall victim but I think you’re right that Magic will go. I think we can safely say the Ashes will be scrapped. I can’t see the play offs being so though, they are a huge money maker for the clubs.

Not for us, as nobody shows up!

Re: When the season resumes : Sat Apr 04, 2020 10:04 pm  

In reality if the season is to start up again it will likely have to be behind closed doors initially. I think the best case scenario for the sport is starting back at the beginning of July then possibly crowds allowed back in maybe in August.

I like McDermott’s suggestion. As we are highly likely to have to play midweek games for a sustained period then reduce matches to 4 quarters of 15 mins. That would greatly help player welfare and maybe even produce a more exciting spectacle.

Re: When the season resumes : Sun Apr 05, 2020 8:33 am  

Cbr1000rr wrote:

Hows that going to work when people will be skint or no jobs or the country and world is in a massive recession

#
The worse affected in the possible world wide recession will be those who have been living beyond their means in recent years by buying expensive 3/4/5 bedroom detached houses, expensive cars like 4x4s, BMW's, having expensive holidays, the latest top priced electrical goods etc, etc.

As someone, who as a youngster lived in the period of hardship and rationing at the end of the second world war, having a season ticket or not will be the least of any supporters worries!

Re: When the season resumes : Sun Apr 05, 2020 9:45 am  

I was speaking to a current Superleague player last week and I asked him if he had any idea when RL would get started again. He thought it would be August.

Re: When the season resumes : Sun Apr 05, 2020 1:07 pm  

Whenever the season re-starts it is still going to be difficult in bringing in a structure that will suit all.
I do think they will play two games a week and hopefully the plan will include using reserve team players.

It will also be a troubling time for players OOC end of 2020. Clubs will be looking to trim numbers of staff both playing and non playing. The biggest on the balance sheet are full time players. If that's the case then some may be released at the end of the season as usual. Trouble is very few clubs will be looking to sign or re-sign players due to financial problems.

So where do clubs find revenue or cut costs to sustain their future?
Reducing staff is the main area to cut costs and the most obvious. Rent negotiations might be another. Where to find extra revenue or at least maintain cash flows will be the difficult one.
One way would be to sell season tickets early, we at Wigan pay early anyway. Maybe there could be an offer to pay for more than one season with an inducement, perhaps up to five years. Even if just a few hundred or one thousand buy it could bring finance in that otherwise would not be there.
Some new thinking will be needed to ensure club's futures and that of the sport are secured.
Best wishes to all who have that responsibility and hope they and all stay well.

Re: When the season resumes : Sun Apr 05, 2020 1:38 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

The CC might fall victim but I think you’re right that Magic will go. I think we can safely say the Ashes will be scrapped. I can’t see the play offs being so though, they are a huge money maker for the clubs.

A lot may well depend on what the RFL is contractually obliged to deliver for the Sky and BBC. I would expect that there would have to be some flexibility on both sides given the circumstances, but the broadcasters (especially Sky) will have a big say in what happens on the resumption of SL, whenever that happens.

Re: When the season resumes : Sun Apr 05, 2020 3:55 pm  

I dont think the season will resume. we have months of this yet because the lockdown is designed to delay and drag out the virus to keep the infection numbers manageable and then it will be too late to resume the season unless they play through winter and i cant see them doing that as some players will be off contract in October/November and then next season would start pretty much straight after this one had ended. You could play two games a week to get the season over quicker but that would be farcical for various reasons. Then theres the Challenge Cup, how would they implement that? The best thing they could do is go straight into a knockout competition between the entire league with winner takes all, both the CC and SL trophy.

Re: When the season resumes : Sun Apr 05, 2020 6:06 pm  

That will be a good birthday for us both, Rogues!

Re: When the season resumes : Sun Apr 05, 2020 10:40 pm  

MorePlaymakersNeeded wrote:

A lot may well depend on what the RFL is contractually obliged to deliver for the Sky and BBC. I would expect that there would have to be some flexibility on both sides given the circumstances, but the broadcasters (especially Sky) will have a big say in what happens on the resumption of SL, whenever that happens.

True. Football is in the same predicament and probably why they aren’t cancelling the season out right. There’s far too much money at stake, not just with sky but other sponsors, partners etc.

We’ve nowhere near that level of money (would be bloody nice though) but face the same issues. In these extraordinary times I’d hope the BBC would agree to axe the CC for one season.

We might not have that issue with Sky who, let’s have it right, will prioritise football over anything else. Chances are we’ll get sidelined and we’ll see another 2 football channels on Sky to provide the coverage.

I’m speculating obviously but it’s going to be an interesting future for RL.