Quote Khlav Kalash="Khlav Kalash"Completely agree, there is no long term strategic thinking at all. It's not delivered a £40m per year contract in year two so it's a failure, let's go back to what we've done for the past 30 years which has got the sport into the state it is.
IMG are raising standards and pushing RL into the 21st century sporting psyche. The only way we get an improved tv deal is if we get a bidding process for the rights. We get more eyes on the sport other broadcastes will look at the game.'"
Short sighted stupidity is what it is.
It’s quite simple. The IMG criteria is there to monitor and record things such as growth in actual numbers for engagement, infrastructure and strengthening on and off the pitch.
When a business is at the next table to negotiate, the RFL will be in a much stronger position as there will be data and analysis available on the sport, right down to club level. This can be used as leverage and to justify investment in the sport.
Increase in engagement, attendances, interactions for individual clubs will be rising. New screens, LEDs and increase sponsorship and businesses interested. All this increases the bargaining power for better investment BUT it will be gradual and take time.
I can imagine the RFL went to the table with very little data and not ur themselves in a corner. Well, next time at the table they should have much more data and I would hope that it’s used to full effect.
If these media outlets and people were to invest in positive articles to drive the growth it would help get there faster. But no, better to be combative and a stick in the mud. So short sighted it’s laughable.
