LEIGH LEOPARDS owner Derek Beaumont has named the best player in Super League “by a mile”.

[nathan_rugby]

I thought when Bevan signed his long-term contract the stated intention was indeed to promote him as the face of rugby league. I know Bevan is a modest guy who doesn't seek the limelight but he does represent a once in a generation opportunity to showcase the very best of our game.

Where did you get this from?

Is this Wigan promoting him or the RFL?

To be honest it's a bit of a vague memory but I think it was Rads at one of the legends or fan forums events so it would be the Warriors leading the promotion. Sorry that I can't be more specific.

Hopefully someone else can remember.

Haven't noticed anything any different though.

[Flash]

The opportunity to create true stars, or even superstars, comes along very rarely in our sport. If we, as a game, don't seize it with both hands, then it would be indicative of a much greater malaise. This is the moment for IMG to step up and prove its worth.

Create genuine stars and everything else will follow.

It's not quite as simple as that.

How's your interest in Volleyball? Name any stars?

Well like it or not, that's about the level of interest in Rugby League in most parts of the UK.

The product can be as brilliant as you like but until you fix the above, it's irrelevant.

Wish I had the answer, but I don't.

You're somewhat missing the point. I never said having stars was a cure-all. I said everything else follows on the back of that. It's far easier to get traction in other areas, such as TV and the media, if you have marketable figures within the game. You still have to market those stars.

You mention volleyball there but surely that supports the point. It's a small sport with no household names. Ask yourself this: do boxing fans come out in big numbers to watch any fight because it's the sport they love or do they turn out in numbers to watch the biggest stars even when, half the time, those fights aren't as good as a bout between 2 no marks?

The sport of rugby league is already a good one. What we don't have are famous names and recognisable faces. Get those and, as I say, the rest follows.

[WarriorWinger]

The opportunity to create true stars, or even superstars, comes along very rarely in our sport. If we, as a game, don't seize it with both hands, then it would be indicative of a much greater malaise. This is the moment for IMG to step up and prove its worth.

Create genuine stars and everything else will follow.

It's not quite as simple as that.

How's your interest in Volleyball? Name any stars?

Well like it or not, that's about the level of interest in Rugby League in most parts of the UK.

The product can be as brilliant as you like but until you fix the above, it's irrelevant.

Wish I had the answer, but I don't.

You're somewhat missing the point. I never said having stars was a cure-all. I said everything else follows on the back of that. It's far easier to get traction in other areas, such as TV and the media, if you have marketable figures within the game. You still have to market those stars.

You mention volleyball there but surely that supports the point. It's a small sport with no household names. Ask yourself this: do boxing fans come out in big numbers to watch any fight because it's the sport they love or do they turn out in numbers to watch the biggest stars even when, half the time, those fights aren't as good as a bout between 2 no marks?

The sport of rugby league is already a good one. What we don't have are famous names and recognisable faces. Get those and, as I say, the rest follows.

I have said as much in the Salary Cap discussions before, we should allow players to market themselves without it counting on the cap, let them get their faces out there playing the game, this will make household names of players and then they will be associated with RL

[josie andrews]

I thought when Bevan signed his long-term contract the stated intention was indeed to promote him as the face of rugby league. I know Bevan is a modest guy who doesn't seek the limelight but he does represent a once in a generation opportunity to showcase the very best of our game.

Where did you get this from?

Is this Wigan promoting him or the RFL?

I’ve never heard or seen this about Bevan & don’t know where you’ve got it from!

[Fan4Fifty]

I thought when Bevan signed his long-term contract the stated intention was indeed to promote him as the face of rugby league. I know Bevan is a modest guy who doesn't seek the limelight but he does represent a once in a generation opportunity to showcase the very best of our game.

Where did you get this from?

Is this Wigan promoting him or the RFL?

I’ve never heard or seen this about Bevan & don’t know where you’ve got it from!

OK, maybe I'm mistaken (certainly wouldn't be the first time!) as I appreciate that you are close to everything Wigan - and glad that you are!

[josie andrews]

Where did you get this from?

Is this Wigan promoting him or the RFL?

I’ve never heard or seen this about Bevan & don’t know where you’ve got it from!

OK, maybe I'm mistaken (certainly wouldn't be the first time!) as I appreciate that you are close to everything Wigan - and glad that you are!

Rads has often said about the stars in our game /club/s should be used to promote our great game but nothing ever comes from it from the RFL maybe it’s something IMG may think of doing something along these lines as I’ve yet to see something they’ve done so far! Sky only do promotions for big games like the Grand Final if it suits their agenda!

[nathan_rugby]

I’ve never heard or seen this about Bevan & don’t know where you’ve got it from!

OK, maybe I'm mistaken (certainly wouldn't be the first time!) as I appreciate that you are close to everything Wigan - and glad that you are!

Rads has often said about the stars in our game /club/s should be used to promote our great game but nothing ever comes from it from the RFL maybe it’s something IMG may think of doing something along these lines as I’ve yet to see something they’ve done so far! Sky only do promotions for big games like the Grand Final if it suits their agenda!

Sky are a business, like most other businesses, they act in the interest of their shareholders to create profits and work within budgets.

It is the RFLs job to drive this sort of thing and work with IMG, Sky and the Clubs.

[Big Steve]

It's the worst rule in the salary cap.

Not allowing individuals to promote and profit from their image is so counterproductive to raising the awareness of the game, bringing in more viewers, more ad revenue, more club income etc.

Hard to raise the awareness, profile and income streams when no one outside the RL 'family' know a RL player.

Offiah, Edwards, Hanley, Farrell were known throughout England and people had an interest in the game beyond the usual catchment.

I've lived in and around London since Wigan played and won the 7s at Twickenham and played Bath, I think sold out Brentford football ground when they played down there as a one off. Most of my friends all still know their names but are oblivious of French, Field, etc.

I was saying that I rate French above Jason Robinson and probably in the top 3 of Wigan players I've seen since the mid 80s and not one of my friends have heard of him - they are all RU and keen sports followers though. Such a wasted opportunity.

[moto748]

Having lived outside of Wigan for most of my life, I can only agree with all of that, Big Steve.