Super League set for rebrand as IMG plot name change for rugby league competition
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2022 10:14 pm
IMG, the sport's new strategic partner, is planning a major change for its premier competition.
Super League is set to undergo a name change as part of IMG's plans for the sport. Rugby League Live understands the Rugby Football League's strategic partner is plotting a rebrand of the competition after more than a quarter of a century.
The Northern Hemisphere's premier competition has gone under the Super League name for over a quarter of a century. It was first adopted in 1996 when the sport transitioned to the summer.
However, over time a number of other competitions have taken on the same name, such as football and netball's top-flight women's divisions as well as numerous others across several sports. As a result, there is a feeling that the branding is no longer fit for purpose and needs a refresh to provide a unique identity and change of direction for the competition.
A timeline for when the change will be implemented has yet to be mapped out. But it's understood IMG are considering it as one of their first major pieces of work following an extensive consultation process. The rebrand is not thought to have been decided on at this stage.
IMG have made several of its proposals public in recent months, including the introduction of a 'grading' system and the removal of Magic Weekend from the calendar. A more comprehensive international schedule is another priority. But there are other ideas, not yet public, on their radar, with a new look for Super League among their biggest priorities.
Former Rugby Football League chief executive, Maurice Lindsay, was the man who made Super League a reality. The first season of the competition was in 1996 and has featured 24 teams since then. Now approaching its 28th season, it could well be the last for Super League under its current name.
The recent controversy surrounding football's ill-fated European Super League has damaged rugby league's equivalent digitally. One simple look on any search engine for the phrase 'Super League' results in football-related news. It's worth noting that Sky Sports recently changed their listings for the competition to 'Super League Rugby'. However, a new name could help eradicate those issues in the future.
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... dium=email
Super League is set to undergo a name change as part of IMG's plans for the sport. Rugby League Live understands the Rugby Football League's strategic partner is plotting a rebrand of the competition after more than a quarter of a century.
The Northern Hemisphere's premier competition has gone under the Super League name for over a quarter of a century. It was first adopted in 1996 when the sport transitioned to the summer.
However, over time a number of other competitions have taken on the same name, such as football and netball's top-flight women's divisions as well as numerous others across several sports. As a result, there is a feeling that the branding is no longer fit for purpose and needs a refresh to provide a unique identity and change of direction for the competition.
A timeline for when the change will be implemented has yet to be mapped out. But it's understood IMG are considering it as one of their first major pieces of work following an extensive consultation process. The rebrand is not thought to have been decided on at this stage.
IMG have made several of its proposals public in recent months, including the introduction of a 'grading' system and the removal of Magic Weekend from the calendar. A more comprehensive international schedule is another priority. But there are other ideas, not yet public, on their radar, with a new look for Super League among their biggest priorities.
Former Rugby Football League chief executive, Maurice Lindsay, was the man who made Super League a reality. The first season of the competition was in 1996 and has featured 24 teams since then. Now approaching its 28th season, it could well be the last for Super League under its current name.
The recent controversy surrounding football's ill-fated European Super League has damaged rugby league's equivalent digitally. One simple look on any search engine for the phrase 'Super League' results in football-related news. It's worth noting that Sky Sports recently changed their listings for the competition to 'Super League Rugby'. However, a new name could help eradicate those issues in the future.
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... dium=email
got my vote