Why the RFL’s Challenge Cup revamp has backfired spectacularly

[doc]

Pointless idea for me. Rose Bridge, St. Judes, St Pats or St. James vs Wigan, Leigh Sts or Wire would never happen because they don't have the facilities to accommodate a big crowd. It's sometimes a struggle when they play Scholarship or Women's games at amateur grounds.

[Mike]

Pointless idea for me. Rose Bridge, St. Judes, St Pats or St. James vs Wigan, Leigh Sts or Wire would never happen because they don't have the facilities to accommodate a big crowd. It's sometimes a struggle when they play Scholarship or Women's games at amateur grounds.

No it isn't. If they get through to this ground then their chances of drawing a SL team are doubled, which would greatly increase their revenue - which is great for their clubs. They have a real shot of some substantial income by getting to this stage of the cup.

[doc]

It's more the amateur team having home advantage that is the issue.

[Mike]

It's more the amateur team having home advantage that is the issue.

You just said they could never have that anyway. This way they get a much larger chance to have a financial windfall. What's bad about that?

[Nezza Faz]

It's more the amateur team having home advantage that is the issue.

You just said they could never have that anyway. This way they get a much larger chance to have a financial windfall. What's bad about that?

Yeah a no brainier.
EG Leigh Miners v Wigan at Twist Lane c2k max capacity; at the Brick c5/6k.
= 3 x the finances for the amateur club.

[WarriorWinger]

As the original article is referring to, it was to create some much needed revenue for the amateur clubs and to have that air of David v Goliath about it, in their own back yard, but by switching the venues it is taking that feel away from it, yes it was a good idea and I think welcomed by the lower seeded clubs, just hope by switching the amateur clubs get most of the spoils from gate receipts, food etc.

They make way more that way.

Would they though Mike, I am not sure.

I am not sure how the finances are split for things like cup games but the running costs at a SL club would be far greater than at an amateur club and would cut deep into the added attendance.

Would they get a cut of any food sales, as a lot of top clubs outsource a lot of the food and drink so I suspect the amateur club would get nothing for food/drink sold on the day.

There is also the 'feel good factor' at the amateur club, would having a SL club at their ground potentially increase attendances/participation at the amateur club, many will go to SL games at the big stadium but to have one of the big clubs on your own patch can generate a real buzz at a club.

[Mike]

As the original article is referring to, it was to create some much needed revenue for the amateur clubs and to have that air of David v Goliath about it, in their own back yard, but by switching the venues it is taking that feel away from it, yes it was a good idea and I think welcomed by the lower seeded clubs, just hope by switching the amateur clubs get most of the spoils from gate receipts, food etc.

They make way more that way.

Would they though Mike, I am not sure.

I am not sure how the finances are split for things like cup games but the running costs at a SL club would be far greater than at an amateur club and would cut deep into the added attendance.

Would they get a cut of any food sales, as a lot of top clubs outsource a lot of the food and drink so I suspect the amateur club would get nothing for food/drink sold on the day.

There is also the 'feel good factor' at the amateur club, would having a SL club at their ground potentially increase attendances/participation at the amateur club, many will go to SL games at the big stadium but to have one of the big clubs on your own patch can generate a real buzz at a club.

If they didn't gain financially, they wouldn't switch - no? Seems simple to me.

[WarriorWinger]

They make way more that way.

Would they though Mike, I am not sure.

I am not sure how the finances are split for things like cup games but the running costs at a SL club would be far greater than at an amateur club and would cut deep into the added attendance.

Would they get a cut of any food sales, as a lot of top clubs outsource a lot of the food and drink so I suspect the amateur club would get nothing for food/drink sold on the day.

There is also the 'feel good factor' at the amateur club, would having a SL club at their ground potentially increase attendances/participation at the amateur club, many will go to SL games at the big stadium but to have one of the big clubs on your own patch can generate a real buzz at a club.

If they didn't gain financially, they wouldn't switch - no? Seems simple to me.

In reality they would not but do they have a choice or do the RFL have the rights to just switch ties, I genuinely don't know to be honest.

[Mike]

Would they though Mike, I am not sure.

I am not sure how the finances are split for things like cup games but the running costs at a SL club would be far greater than at an amateur club and would cut deep into the added attendance.

Would they get a cut of any food sales, as a lot of top clubs outsource a lot of the food and drink so I suspect the amateur club would get nothing for food/drink sold on the day.

There is also the 'feel good factor' at the amateur club, would having a SL club at their ground potentially increase attendances/participation at the amateur club, many will go to SL games at the big stadium but to have one of the big clubs on your own patch can generate a real buzz at a club.

If they didn't gain financially, they wouldn't switch - no? Seems simple to me.

In reality they would not but do they have a choice or do the RFL have the rights to just switch ties, I genuinely don't know to be honest.

It's up to the home team to decide to forfeit their home advantage, no one else.

[WarriorWinger]

If they didn't gain financially, they wouldn't switch - no? Seems simple to me.

In reality they would not but do they have a choice or do the RFL have the rights to just switch ties, I genuinely don't know to be honest.

It's up to the home team to decide to forfeit their home advantage, no one else.

Thanks Mike, wasn't sure how it worked, so hopefully the amateur clubs are getting a good deal out of it.