Leigh chairman proposes two Super Leagues of 10
Outgoing Leigh chairman Keith Freer says the three split leagues model to re-structure Super League would be a disaster, and has proposed a variation of the two leagues of 10 option.
Clubs are currently being consulted and discussion three options presented to them by the RFL executive, following the recommendations of the Watkins Review.
The most favoured option of the governing body appears to be the creation of two leagues of 12, which would then split in to three leagues of eight.
The other two options are a 12 team Super League with a 10 team Championship, or two Super League divisions of 10.
Freer said: “The two divisions of 12 and three divisions of 8 will be a recipe for disaster and will require another review when it is shown that it has not produced the results required that is to say will stand the test of time.
“In my opinion, it is not a sustainable, confusing and when it fails in the first few years the RFL will have to carry out another policy review.
“The proposal will actually only expand the Super League by two clubs to 16.
“The revised version still leaves the middle division in the first instance will have part time against full time teams unless 2 Championship clubs have White Knights to build a full time squad on a part time distribution.
“The middle division will be predictable in that the 4 SL1 teams with a considerable advantage over the promoted SL2 clubs not only in terms of revenue but salary cap expenditure and the benefit of 22 SL1 games and the intensity that brings.
“The top division of 8 will be in essence just a longer play off season culminating in the Grand Final.
“This option will still disenfranchise the whole game ethos which need to be established and also depends on white knight principles. This is not every minute counts option, after the initial year it will be back to the drawing board as the divide between full time and part time continues to grow.”
Freer proposes two divisions of 10, with each club in Super League 1 receiving £1.2m. Teams in Super League 2 would receive £520,000 each. Teams in an 18 or 20 team Championship would £1.35m to share between them, with further funds pumped in to a Divisional Competition and Super League academies.
The SL1 and SL2 leagues would see an 18-round competition home and away, with three points for a win, two for a draw and a bonus point for a losing team within 12 points.
The 10th position club in SL1 will be relegated to the lower division, with the 9th position club taking part in a promotion Grand Final or the play-offs with the teams in SL2.
The SL2 play-offs would consist of the four clubs from 2nd to 5th. The same sort of format would exist between SL2 and the Championship.
To start the season, Freer suggests that all 20 clubs are divided in to two leagues of 10 on a geographical basis, and have a nine round competition culminating in a Magic Weekend. Gate receipts would be shared to incentivise ticket sales, and there would be a prize fund rewarding teams depending on how they do in the competition.
Freer said: “This is a whole of game solution and to reengage SL with the all supporters, commercial sponsors and television. It expands SL to 20 teams with a transparent progression from Championship to SL1 and maintains equality amongst all teams in their respective competition.
“Over a short period the clubs in lower division will naturally develop to be able to sustain a position in the higher divisions.
“This model will provide the required intensity for all games to either achieve the play offs or avoid relegation, and provides a transparent and easily understandable formula for everyone.”
Freer, who was recently stood down by the Leigh club’s new board, has sent a letter to all clubs detailing his proposal, asking those who agree to endorse the plans with an appropriate communication to the RFL.
It is thought that a decision may be reached on the future of Super League before the end of July.
