12 teams

[cpwigan]

One thing this announcement does do IMO is KILL increasing the salary cap in SL which is a disaster. I read elsewhere they are going to increase the championship cap to 900,000 but on that basis they will repeatedly refuse to increase the cap at SL level as they will ARGUE it is unfair blah blah.

Interestingly the vote at SL was a MAJORITY we know that because it has been acknowledged by the RFL. Less certain some sources are quoting that the vote was 7 in favour of the new structure with 6 against, with Catalan abstaining. Against were: Wigan, Wire, Hull FC, Hull KR, Hudds and Salford. If this is correct Saints are again in the pocket of the RFL whilst clubs who may or may not have owners such as Bradford, Wakefield and London are receiving votes.

[El Bobbers]

The sad reality is that 12 teams is too many for SL; 8 is probably more realistic FINANCIALLY.

Tail wagging the dog

This.

Too many clubs are not fincially sound/stable within SL nevermind the championship. The RFL are letting this sport down.

[Mike]

I thought the artcles quote Brian Barwick saying the vote was unanimous, not a majority.

IMO this system will see *no* movement between top twelve and bottom 12. even increasing the salary cap of the lower 12 won't help if you don't give them more of the TV money. you have to have *automatic* promotion and relgation, not playoffs between two sets of teams where one set is fully pro and the other semi-pro. how can that work?

[cpwigan]

I read it was unanimous at Championship level but majority at SL level.

[Owd Codger]

I think some are missing the point that the majority of the club's have voted for it!

Perhaps, they know about what it entails than supporters!

[butt monkey]

I think some are missing the point that the majority of the club's have voted for it!

Perhaps, they know about what it entails than supporters!

You really ARE a fruitcake!

So out of those clubs who voted for it, you have: Bradford (who are bust), London (who are bust), Wakefield (who are bust), Widnes, Castleford and Leeds (who we know the Hetherington's rule the game from).

Saints as CPW has all ready eloquently put, have most definitely got skeleton's in their closet - hence there voting.

This voting is nothing more than everyone in it for themselves and if you cannot see that you might as well be a Saints fan for all your blindness, pig-headidness and ignorance

[Owd Codger]

I think some are missing the point that the majority of the club's have voted for it!

Perhaps, they know about what it entails than supporters!

You really ARE a fruitcake!

So out of those clubs who voted for it, you have: Bradford (who are bust), London (who are bust), Wakefield (who are bust), Widnes, Castleford and Leeds (who we know the Hetherington's rule the game fr

Saints as CPW has all ready eloquently put, have most definitely got skeleton's in their closet - hence there voting.

This voting is nothing more than everyone in it for themselves and if you cannot see that you might as well be a Saints fan for all your blindness, pig-headidness and ignorance

Despite your comment, the fact remains that the majority still voted for it and as for calling me a fruitcake, that's a bit rich from someone with a reference to a person's backside and a primate in their user name.

[Wigan_forever1985]

I think its a bit stupid, the RFL seem to be in a massive state of self destruct. The problem is highlighted on this thread we are all massive rugby fans and we are confused about it, how can you hope to attract new fans and sponsors when you keep changing the game so much?

Look at the worlds most popular sport, football, how many changes in leagues etc. have they had in the last 100 years.

I'm all for innovation I really am but they are just constantly messing with the system and not addressing any of the fundamental flaws in the comp.

Id like to see someone like Barry or Eddie Hearn come in, pure PR men who'd listen to what the fans want and give them in buckets. Our viewing figures are strong but the game is just so poorly marketed its untrue. Sky in fairness have tried there are now about 5-6 rugby league shows etc but its the people its the same regurgitated Yorkshire faces at every outlet.

Imagine someone like Jake Humphries instead of eddie, that would shoot the quality up x10 to start with!

[markill]

I think its a bit stupid, the RFL seem to be in a massive state of self destruct. The problem is highlighted on this thread we are all massive rugby fans and we are confused about it, how can you hope to attract new fans and sponsors when you keep changing the game so much?

Look at the worlds most popular sport, football, how many changes in leagues etc. have they had in the last 100 years.
I'm all for innovation I really am but they are just constantly messing with the system and not addressing any of the fundamental flaws in the comp.

Id like to see someone like Barry or Eddie Hearn come in, pure PR men who'd listen to what the fans want and give them in buckets. Our viewing figures are strong but the game is just so poorly marketed its untrue. Sky in fairness have tried there are now about 5-6 rugby league shows etc but its the people its the same regurgitated Yorkshire faces at every outlet.

Imagine someone like Jake Humphries instead of eddie, that would shoot the quality up x10 to start with!

Increases in the amount of leagues around 100years ago would be one. Introduction of playoffs for promotion is a bit more recent. In the PL era they changed the amount of teams from 24 to 22 to 20.

Despite that, I agree that the messing with the system is too regular, and this time it is very experimental. So much so that it still hasn't been finalised, yet they've voted for it. We have to give it chance because we have to keep following the sport we enjoy so much for it to survive/prosper.

I'm not sure who the new system benefits most, but to me it plays into IL's hands with the strategy he appears to have followed. Bring through young players, sign the best young talent from weaker clubs, maintain a top 4/ top 8 place as a result whislt the weaker SL clubs feed off your scraps as you only let better players leave the competition. Your best player are going to get their pay day elsewhere so you can manage on the real terms reducing salary cap. If this was all he was about, he should have voted for the new system, not against it.

[Wigan_forever1985]

But when they do make changes in football which you pointed out they aren't anywhere near as confusing or regular