Twitter Talk: Reactions to the fall out ahead of the RFL EGM
As has often been the case over the past decade, rugby league finds itself embroiled in discussions off the pitch rather than about what’s going on on it.
We picked out some of the best tweets from the afternoon.
It will be interesting to get the RFL’s response to accusations they have been party to “bullying” clubs into voting for the proposal tomorrow. Hopefully the Board will front the media after the EGM.
— Paul Bennett (@PaulBennettLW) September 13, 2018
Listening to all the RFL EGM stories I think the No vote will be the majority and it Wouldn’t surprise me if super league govern themselves from next season. Literally super league war 2!
— Anthony Bailey (@ant_bailey1991) September 13, 2018
Friday’s SL EGM isn’t a vote on structure. It’s a vote on whether they split from The RFL. I’ve been waiting for this dramatic change and ruffling of feathers for too long. I’m absolutely loving it.
— Alex Tyrer Graham (@AlexG6) September 12, 2018
As far as I'm concerned the RFL have done the right thing by taking it to EGM, it is not for the SL to dictate the policy of the sport. I agree with the proposed new structure apart from the additional games to the standard H/A fixtures, I disagree with the chest beating from SL.
— Paul Thexton (@PThexton) September 12, 2018
This is what was handed out by Champs/L1 clubs today detailing finance breakdown post-2021. If next broadcast deal matches the current one, RFL/Champ/L1 distribution allegedly goes down to £7.75m, for example. If it falls to £30m no guarantees over any funding pic.twitter.com/kuVoM5iQaX
— Aaron Bower (@AaronBower) September 13, 2018
The issue is we don't know how much Championship & League 1 broadcasting rights are worth. I highly, highly doubt it's worth £10m, hence why SL believes funding should go down. But should Champ/L1 & the RFL get no funding if the deal drops to £30m?
— Matthew Shaw (@M_Shaw1) September 13, 2018
Revised column header to reflect that figure includes money paid to RFL by SL. pic.twitter.com/OA0WHvyXPX
— Tom Coates (@coatestf) September 13, 2018
If I was Ralph Rimmer I'd be telling the clubs that in 2022 we're launching NRL Europe, we're starting negotiations with broadcasters now, and nothing you do tomorrow will have any impact on it. Please form a line if you want to be a part of it. Resume arguing amongst yourselves.
— Steve Mascord (@therealsteavis) September 13, 2018
And this is exactly why a stupid, convoluted format wasn't needed in the first place. I refer to this I wrote a year or so ago: https://t.co/zEqam26wVh – how thoroughly depressing that nearly 15 years later, it's not gone forward at all despite all the faffing. https://t.co/1bfl11xh2Q
— James Gordon (@jdgsport) September 13, 2018
So glad my full time involvement in #rugbyleague was when it was, because, very sadly, these really feel like the sport's dog days. Good luck for yet another 'crucial for the sport's future' meeting tomorrow.
— Chris Irvine (@Chrisirvine) September 13, 2018
From today's press conference 1) structure is not the issue, there is sufficient compromise for effective change 2) control of distribution of potentially diminishing revenue is 3) an EGM could have been avoided with more negotiation; damning on the governing body #rugbyleague
— Phil Caplan (@scratchingshed2) September 13, 2018
Nobody is suggesting the current structure doesn't have its positives. The issue is that the fans aren't interested, resulting in lower attendances and lower TV viewing figures.
— Rugby League Central (@RLCentral) September 13, 2018
#RugbyLeague will only grow from the top up… if Super League ain’t working or worth investing in… NOTHING in the sport is! I think everyone is in agreement Robert Elstone is the right man for the job and I hope everyone can trust in his vision and leadership ??
— Alex Simmons (@alexsimmonstv) September 13, 2018
Find it strange that as a SL chairman I’ve been roundly slated today, and yet some of those same people are asking if I can lend them some players next season ……
— Michael Carter (@MichaelC1873) September 13, 2018
Rugby league’s current situation is really concerning
The players union at the time thought & said the broadcast deal wasn’t good enough & lasted too long, also in majority was against the super 8s format
I’m sure all players would like to have their voices heard this time
— Tyrone McCarthy (@TykeMc) September 13, 2018
Biggest problem is no leadership at RFL. Barwick invisible and Rimmer always been a yes man, initially to Adams at Eagles then to Davy at Giants – hardly a great pedigree! All of this is a consequence of the change to eights which all Championship clubs (bar 1) voted for at time
— Ian Swire (@IanSwire) September 13, 2018
