NL1 & NL2 to merge

[Monte2carlo]

OMG,

There is a rumour that NL1 & NL2 are to merge. That would ruin the good rugby we see at the Rec. Sorry but there is a huge gulf between the quality of NL1 teams to NL2 teams. The Gates would drop off as who would want to pay ?12.00 to watch Blackpool or Gateshead ?

Keep the format as it is, gates are up and the quality of rugby is definitely up in NL1.

Monte

[Fomerly of Northumbria Uni Haven]

Thing is though we've got an 18 game league season and a cup competition few care for

It wasn't that bad before the league split, since then the gulf between NL1 sides and the lower NL2 sides (like Gateshead, Blackpool and Workington) has got much greater

[Full80mins]

There is a rumour that NL1 & NL2 are to merge. That would ruin the good rugby we see at the Rec. Sorry but there is a huge gulf between the quality of NL1 teams to NL2 teams.

Is that to allow Cas and Widnes up into SL creating a 14 team league?

[LeeF]

There won't be a 14 team SL unless there is an increase in TV money as any increase without a new TV deal will mean less money per club

[Keith]

There won't be a 14 team SL unless there is an increase in TV money as any increase without a new TV deal will mean less money per club

I think you will find that the Sky contract is due for renewal at the end of the 2008 season.   I read somewhere that the SL will ask for ?1 million per club andif they go for 14 clubs they will be asking for an increase up to ?15 million per season from the current ?10.8 million per year.