This Super League franchise system - 2 questions

1. Will promotion and relegation still work in the same way, as American franchise sports don't even have promotion / relegation

2. Could the Leeds Rhinos become the Sheffield or Birmingham Rhinos if the franchise is bought or moved, as has happened in the past with baseball and I'm sure others

 

Answer to 2 is clearly yes, as the Sheffield Eagles (my club) and Gateshead were raped and carried off by Huddersfield and Hull respectively.</p>

As to 1, as soon as 'Super League' has the balance of clubs it wants the rest of professional RL will be discarded, without a shadow of a doubt.
</p>

 

Totally agree with that. The Super League are out to shaft anyone they don't want in their European set up. Promotion & relegation will become a distant memory. My club (Hull KR) earned the right to play SL this year. I suspect that we best enjoy it while we can 'cos they won't want 2 Hull teams in SL, even though they both attract good crowds.

 

Ditto, was amazing seeing Barnsley and Rovers promoted last year. Taking that away from sport just ends all the fun really!!

 

I was delighted to see HKR make it last season - f**ked up their grand design big time!</p>

Please, please, please don't get relegated.</p>

 

All the Rovers fans were supporting Sheffield at the GF, mainly due to you having approx 6 ex-players, plus an ex-coach. you mullered Swinton that day, but I am concerned about how you will go this season. Your squad looks considerably weaker than last season.

 

did someone say KR and big crowds ??



oldddd faithful !!!

 

you fat Barsteward! you fat Barsteward! you fat Barsteward!!!!

carter usm - sheer class

(i know the quote is from Red Dwarf)

 

I think we're probably gonna go - down!

 

Your signature

Didn't know we won div 3 in 1981. Thought it was Rovrum.

 

we came second

the error has now been corrected

 

Currently averaging a damn sight more than GatesHull ThunderSharks ever did pre-KC!

 

Depends how you're defining 'balance' mate. Agree with the principles, but whilever they're trying to expand the system to France and Wales, and whilever Widnes, Castelford and Featherstone (maybe even Leigh, Batley and Whitehaven) are in a lower league, there'll be promotion and relegation. Unless, of course, said clubs are merged with others...

 

Confirmed - there will be no automatic promotion/relegation if the system is implemented as planned

just did a search found a bbc article from 2005, seems they've made no secret of their plans, I can only see this making the game a lot worse, rather than better.

from an interview with Richard Lewis (RFL executive chairman for those who don't know) :

"We think there's a better way to do it rather than promotion and relegation," he told the BBC's Sportsweek programme.

"The traditional way of getting clubs up into the engage Super League is not necessarily the best way."

The RFL is set to scrap promotion and relegation in time for the 2009 Super League season.

Promotion and relegation will remain in place for the next four seasons but then potential new clubs are likely to come from London, Wales or France.

Thereafter, the RFL will only consider admitting new teams on a three-yearly franchise system based on clubs' infrastructure, finance and results.

 

No promotion and relegation will take the competitivity out of the game. If you are looking like you are not gonna finish in the top 6 after a dozen games then what is there to play for?