EDS You have probably hit the nail on the head. If SL teams push the RFL on closing the door on promotion, deregulation of NL1 and don’t do anything about the funding then this could be the point where DH goes enough is enough.
Where the funding comes from then and if we could sustain FT status is anyone’s guess.

A little birdie tells me no substantial changes to the top two tiers format next season. The clubs wanted it but Sky weren't happy. Obviously negotiations may be ongoing.

I'd suggest the question isn't whether we can sustain full time without David but whether or not we could sustain a part time team?

Part of the sky deal in my understanding was there had to be some opportunity for promotion and demotion.
As for funding reality is at the moment like it or not DH is our finance source, we all know we need other investment. Without one or the other probably the club is no more, let’s hope it does not come to that. Hopefully contracts will start to get sorted.

My birdie suggested Sky insisted on a million pound game whereas the clubs want it gone. Not sure on whether the clubs wanted automatic promotion/relegation or a ring fenced top tier.

Million pound game concept is in some folks opinion good in others bad. As we know an awful lot of discussion is around players contracts being null and void if a SL team get relegated, this will still happen be it via 2 up 2 down, super 8s, million pound game. Only difference will be when it’s decided.
So whichever they go with is going to cause heartache unless the central funding issue is sorted.
Be interesting to hear what Eddie Hearn thinks about it.
In my view you need the opportunity to climb the ladder, and you should drop down if yr not good enough. As for sky, can see there point, they want to keep subscribers so having a comp that has drama/excitement till the last game is what they are forcing.

Whats it got to do with him?

Well there was talk about Hearn getting involved with rugby league and promoting it! Not sure how far it has got, but if he can fill a stadium with people watching darts then bring it on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... ague-talks

Well there was talk about Hearn getting involved with rugby league and promoting it! Not sure how far it has got, but if he can fill a stadium with people watching darts then bring it on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... ague-talks

northernbloke wrote:Well there was talk about Hearn getting involved with rugby league and promoting it! Not sure how far it has got, but if he can fill a stadium with people watching darts then bring it on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... ague-talks Matchroom Sports are best known for promoting individual sports where personalities can be marketed. Where they have been involved in team sports (netball, basketball) it is for short format variations of the game. Perhaps their plan is is to have the Magic Weekend reduced to a one day, 7's format.

northernbloke wrote:Well there was talk about Hearn getting involved with rugby league and promoting it! Not sure how far it has got, but if he can fill a stadium with people watching darts then bring it on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... ague-talks Matchroom Sports are best known for promoting individual sports where personalities can be marketed. Where they have been involved in team sports (netball, basketball) it is for short format variations of the game. Perhaps their plan is is to have the Magic Weekend reduced to a one day, 7's format.

Don't let sense get in the way of massive panic!!

That is exactly what is happening. Why would DH pump money into the club when the RFL meeting on Monday pretty much clarified that there will not be any promotion this year and it is likely to be a reduction in SL clubs and a new format?

The club are sitting tight and waiting for some firm direction before deciding to sign players and extend contracts.

People seem to also be forgetting that the production line is as strong as ever. Players in the side that nearly beat Wigan on Saturday are soon going to be replacing some of the expensive squad players in that list of OOC.

Your Birdie needs to fly in a different direction.

SKY are not bothered in the slightest on how the format is as long as there is some jeopardy scenario at the season's end which could be Promotion/Relegation or Play Off's either at the top end or between divisions.

The Clubs in SL pretty much all spoke of 10/10/10 and either another 10 or to merge the likes of Oldham/Swinton/Rochdale/Salford and keep only 3 divisions (basically don't care as long as they are in the SL) and the clubs outside of SL spent a lot of the time moaning about central funding and what will happen at the lower end of the Championship and League 1. That is fair enough considering most of them reside in that area of the structure.

Promotion/Relegation (one up one down) was offered for 2019 and was roundly rejected by most clubs.