Kiwiseddon wrote:
Whilst common sense and logic have nothing to do with this, I really don't se how they could be relegated. If I were an investor looking to buy into a business of any kind, I would want some assurances as to what the business was likely to achieve. In this case, if a businessman were to invest I'm sure that they would want to confirm that the rest of their SL license were to be in place as if not, how can they forecast how to run their business.
A drop from the SL would mean even further financial loss and I doubt as to whether anyone in their right mind would invest in a club if they assumed that the club would be staying in SL.
Either that or the knowledge that the club would start again in the National League and they could plan their investment around that. It all depends on how the RFL deem the best way to deal with the situation (in their infinite knowledge of course)
I can evisage a myriad of problems with the Bradford scenario many of which have possibly already been aired, but I am a late addition to this thread and forgive me if I repeat any.
What would any investor be buying?
Setting aside for a moment any TV or other advertising revenue
The ground has been sold which means the only assets are; the players, whose value is likely to diminish on a daily basis as Bradford get nearer to extinction; and the gate receipts. I would imagine that as they do not now own the ground, there will be some rent involved. Even if this is not the case at the moment, it most likely will be something that would be on the horizon for the consideration of any new owner. If Bradford still owned their ground, the chance would be there to escape with an investment virtually unscathed based on the value of the real estate.
(You could make a fortune land filling that bloody big hole)
TV and advertising income would be dependent on their survival in super league.
I cannot see how Bradford could stay in. Even if potential investors are found who are willing to take a punt, what about any solvent clubs in the championship who want entry into the big league. The RFL as the governing body are not immune from being brought before the courts if they fail to properly consider other clubs under their jurisdiction, or act in a manner which is unfair. I have no idea what their own rules say about this situation, but I can be fairly certain that they would be exposed if they bend or adapt any rules to benefit one particular club over another; if it transpires that a disadvantaged party chooses to make an issue of it.
Whilst Bradford may have the support of other super league clubs; I wonder if this support extends to those championship clubs who want into super league. I also wonder how long Bradfords creditors are going to suffer influxes of cash to pay wages, whilst they are left dangling. Even though employee's are preferential creditors, it has to annoying to other creditors that limited or no repayments are heading in their direction whilst others get paid.
I would be very surprised if someone chooses to invest a large amount of cash into an uncertain future based on intangible assets, uncertain gate receipts and fluid player valuation
