Featherstone consider streaming games behind closed doors via club platforms

Drew Darbyshire 04 May 2020 2:59 PM

Featherstone chief executive Davide Longo has revealed the club are looking at ways to stream games behind closed doors via a club subscription service.

All levels of rugby league in the UK has been suspended since March 24, with a return date yet to be announced.

Games being played behind closed doors is a real possibility – and Longo has revealed the Rovers are keen on streaming the game live to their fans who won’t be able to attend.

He said: “Over the next week, the club, alongside the RFL, will be in discussion and working on several different scenario models to accommodate a return to our sport.

“The survival of this club is vital and all our members, partners and volunteers are valued supporters to us.

“Suggestions of playing behind closed doors seems to be one way that all spectator sports may resume – and we are looking at potential ways to live stream our games through a Rovers TV day pass subscription if permission is granted.

“If playing behind closed doors is a way for rugby league to commence, this will be an extremely challenging time for Featherstone Rovers so generating income will be essential to the business.

“I can assure you that we are working alongside the RFL and doing our best to find the most appropriate solutions for everyone.”

Last week, the government pledged to loan £16million to the RFL to help ease financial strain on the sport during the coronavirus pandemic.

Longo added: “Rugby league can now continue to showcase outstanding sport and continue delivering positive social and economic impacts across our towns and cities through the work of the club foundations with huge credit going towards Ralph Rimmer (RFL chief executive) and his team at the RFL for delivering this significant funding into our game.

“We are now working on a way to safely resume the sport in the UK.”

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