'Takeover fever' to come to RL?

[DJones]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1038742_takeover_fever_to_come_to_rl

Kevin Feddy
29/ 2/2008

NEW TV deals and a Super League franchise system could spark takeover fever among rugby league clubs, business leaders in Manchester were told.

Richard Lewis, chairman of the sport's UK ruling body, the RFL, told a 'Rugby League Means Business' briefing that lucrative new agreements with BSkyB and the BBC, along with Super League licences from 2009, could prove a magnet for investors.

RL is enjoying a period of enormous success, with UK revenues up from ?80m in 2001 to ?120m last year. At present, however, only a small number of professional clubs are profitable.

That is likely to change as the sport grows, and could help attract outside investors as soccer has done, said Mr Lewis.

Its UK grassroots are thriving and, while it is not as big internationally as it could be, the sport is played in 16 European countries and is attracting TV deals from new markets, the latest being Israel. Following this year's World Cup in Australia, England will host a four nations tournament in 2009 and is preparing a bid to host the 2013 World Cup.

At grassroots, RL is played in more than 1,500 schools and by over 3,400 teams nationwide. The RFL is focusing expansion efforts on Manchester, Bury, Liverpool and Knowsley.

Rugby League in the north west is currently worth ?54m to the region's economy, and average Super League attendances now top 10,000. More than one in three spectators is female, and RL is still regarded as a family sport, Mr Lewis told his audience at the Manchester office of law firm Pinsent Masons.

Although viewing figures took a dip last year, partly because of clashes with cricket's World Cup, the underlying trend is still upwards, and RL is the eighth most watched TV sport in Britain.

"We have a unique opportunity to grow the game," said Mr Lewis.

[Mr Widnes]

The RFL is focusing expansion efforts on Manchester, Bury, Liverpool and Knowsley.

SL franchise for us and Salford perhaps?

Afterall, Cronton have purple Knowsley bins don't they?

[John S]

SL franchise for us and Salford perhaps?

Afterall, Cronton have purple Knowsley bins don't they?

No they dont!!

[Mr Widnes]

No they dont!!

My mate's mum and dad has one up Mill Lane, positive.

[The Nudge]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1038742_takeover_fever_to_come_to_rl

Kevin Feddy
29/ 2/2008

NEW TV deals and a Super League franchise system could spark takeover fever among rugby league clubs, business leaders in Manchester were told.

Richard Lewis, chairman of the sport's UK ruling body, the RFL, told a 'Rugby League Means Business' briefing that lucrative new agreements with BSkyB and the BBC, along with Super League licences from 2009, could prove a magnet for investors.

RL is enjoying a period of enormous success, with UK revenues up from ?80m in 2001 to ?120m last year. At present, however, only a small number of professional clubs are profitable.

That is likely to change as the sport grows, and could help attract outside investors as soccer has done, said Mr Lewis.

Its UK grassroots are thriving and, while it is not as big internationally as it could be, the sport is played in 16 European countries and is attracting TV deals from new markets, the latest being Israel. Following this year's World Cup in Australia, England will host a four nations tournament in 2009 and is preparing a bid to host the 2013 World Cup.

At grassroots, RL is played in more than 1,500 schools and by over 3,400 teams nationwide. The RFL is focusing expansion efforts on Manchester, Bury, Liverpool and Knowsley.

Rugby League in the north west is currently worth ?54m to the region's economy, and average Super League attendances now top 10,000. More than one in three spectators is female, and RL is still regarded as a family sport, Mr Lewis told his audience at the Manchester office of law firm Pinsent Masons.

Although viewing figures took a dip last year, partly because of clashes with cricket's World Cup, the underlying trend is still upwards, and RL is the eighth most watched TV sport in Britain.

"We have a unique opportunity to grow the game," said Mr Lewis.

8th most watch sport in Britain?

So whats the other 7.

1. Football
2. Speedway
3. Rugby Union
4. Cricket
5. Boxing?
6. Motorsport?
7. Golf?
8. Rugby League

What else could be 5, 6 and 7? Ice Hockey, Snooker, Darts, Tennis, Athletics?

Oh, I missed Horse Racing and Greyhounds!!

[scooby]

8th most watch sport in Britain?

So whats the other 7.

1. Football
2. Speedway3. Rugby Union
4. Cricket
5. Boxing?
6. Motorsport?
7. Golf?
8. Rugby League

What else could be 5, 6 and 7? Ice Hockey, Snooker, Darts, Tennis, Athletics?

Oh, I missed Horse Racing and Greyhounds!!

Thats a windup, isnt it?

[vikinggriff]

i'd guess

1)football (premership, fa cup, champions league etc)
2) horse racing (the national + the general people watching who place lots of bets)
3) rugby union (6 nations and the european cup)
4) F1
5) Golf (open and masters both get huge numbers watching)
6) Tennis (wimbeldon on its own enough?)
7)athletics (?)
RL

although does WWF count? boxing I guess depends on who's fighting but ppv keeps the figures down abit,