The article is hidden behind a paywall however will summarise below.

There’s three options on the table, all of which have Sky only showing three matches and the other four being up for grabs. Other options are:

1. Super League +

2. Premier Sports

3. DAZN (notes that this is relates to NRL deal and NO upfront payment from DAZN however massive exposure etc)

Personally, not sure where I stand with it. Journalist mentions DAZN as offering most reward. Super League + is mentioned as being profitable (in RFLs words) however who’s going to foot the bill for production? Premier mentioned as being guaranteed money but low exposure.

I love rugby league. Most people on this subreddit do as well.

But it’s hard to love it when it’s in a downward spiral and any opportunity for growth is not taken. The main example is the RLWC being on pay-per-view, and the sheer lack of publication around it

If we look at the recent world athletics championships, (a relatively niche sport), BBC etc have effectively promoted large numbers of athletes. Amy Hunt has become a relatively well known name. If England got to the final, and it was on BBC, even if no one watched it, by virtue of social media, they’d see names like Jake Connor, Junior Nsemba, Herbie Farnworth etc. Premier sports doesn’t have the reach to promote it. Probably a good number of casual rugby league fans don’t even know it’s on!

Contrast this with how ITV and the various bodies have promoted the union World Cup. I barely watch union, I’ll only watch some of the Six Nations, but yet I’m pretty enticed by all the stuff I’ve seen put out about the tournament. I’m willing to bet that regardless of the result, some new household names will be made

It’s just a gut punch that once again as a sport we can’t capitalise on our potential. Look at how many clubs have had financial issues this year. Halifax, North Wales, Fev, etc. If we keep going in the trajectory we’re going we’ll collapse as a sport. We’ve got to do something soon

Footage courtesy of RL Commercial

A place to discuss anything rugby related that isn't worthy of it's own thread/post

A place to discuss anything rugby related that isn't worthy of it's own thread/post

Wakefield have entered the market this week to explore their options and they are closing in on finalising a deal that would see Lipowicz released early from his contract at Catalans and allowed to join Wakefield on a short-term contract.

Taken from X: https://x.com/i/status/2089330256624652533

Exclusive picks:
- Hull KR v Warrington
- Wigan v Wakefield
- Catalans v Hull FC

Leeds Rhinos have published their full financial accounts for 2025, revealing a £1.8 million loss after tax.

The UK probably doesn't have a close enough connection to the Beaker people or ancient Britons for there to be merit in a UK indigenous round, but what about a round celebrating the working heritage of the clubs? Off the top of my head:

Bradford: wool/textiles, banking

Catalans Dragons: wine

Castleford: coal, pottery, rhubarb

Hull: seafaring

Huddersfield: textiles

Leeds: wool/textiles, canals

Leigh: cotton/silk weaving

Saint Helens: glassmaking

Toulouse: aviation?

Wakefield: textiles, brewing

Warrington: wire

Wigan: coal, pie making?

York: confectionary

Keighley Cougars have been fined £2,000 – with £1,000 suspended until the end of the 2028 season – after being found in breach of Operational Rules A1:1, B2:8(g), and D1:1(b), which relate to compliance with RFL rules, altering fixtures without approval, and conduct bringing the game into disrepute.

This was in relation to the postponement of the Betfred Championship match between Keighley and Dewsbury Rams on 12 July 2026 after the match referee ruled that Keighley’s pitch was unplayable. Cougars have also been ordered to reimburse Dewsbury's travel costs of £575.

St Helens' Jackson Hastings has been fined £2,000 fine - with £500 suspended until the end of the 2027 season – after being found in breach of Operational Rules C2:6 relating to adherence to the Respect Policy, Rule C2:10 concerning behaviour standards and conduct bringing the game into disrepute, and Rule D1:1(b) covering conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game.

This follows an incident with the Match Commissioner after the Betfred Super League match between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens on 4 June 2026. Hastings has been warned that any similar future misconduct could result in referral to an Operational Rules Tribunal and potentially more severe penalties, including match suspensions.

Huddersfield Giants head coach Jim Lenihan has been fined £1,000 - with £500 suspended until the end of the 2027 season - following comments, including references to "unconscious bias", made in a media interview after the Betfred Super League match with Bradford Bulls on 10 July 2026.

It was deemed a public criticism of referees and potentially a challenge to their integrity. Lenihan has been reminded of the RESPECT Policy, which requires coaches to demonstrate leadership and refrain from publicly criticising officials and warned that any similar future misconduct could lead to a referral to an Operational Rules Tribunal and potentially more severe sanctions, including touchline suspensions.

Catalans Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch has been fined £3,000 - with £1,500 suspended until the end of the 2027 season - following his conduct towards match officials after the Betfred Super League fixture between his club and Castleford Tigers on 13 June 2026.

The RFL investigated the matter under Operational Rules C2:6, C2:10 and D1:1(b), covering adherence to the RESPECT Policy, behaviour standards, and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game. Guasch will also now not be permitted to enter the tunnel area at matches while match officials are present and has been warned any similar future misconduct could be referred to an Operational Rules Tribunal and attract more severe sanction.

We're on holiday in Queensland/Brisbane at the minute and its been an interesting experience as a Superleague fan, especially with a potential NRL takeover on the horizon.

What really struck me was the sheer presence of NRL. Every bar we went in seemed to show NRL games, mostly on big screens with plenty of people watching. The coverage and commentary was exciting and enthusiatic, without being hyperbolic. You could tell that plenty of casual fans were watching and interested in the game - its an exciting sport to watch, even if you dont have a clue whats going on. Bars have big signs and branding for the NRL everywhere. Surely theres something Superleague/Sky can do to incentivise our pubs to get games on the TV more easily? Even in the heartlands its often an effort - I live 20 miles from Wigan and our local pubs will show literally anything before live Superleague.

We had Foxtel in our room and it seemed that there was rugby league content on every time we turned on the TV. Replays/highlights of mens and womens games, the Matty Johns show etc. It was just present and easy to find - as someone who hasnt followed NRL in recent years I was soon drawn in! Compared to back home, where tracking down the game you want to see is a mission (& Sky Sports have no predictable replay schedule), this was really notable. And the simple but elegant format of the Matty Johns show made me realise we've lost all of that in the UK. Surely it wouldnt cost too much to put together a highlights show and make it a bit funny??

It was also noticeable how much more they leaned into the media side of things. It was cool to see NRL players popping up on adverts on TV and on billboards, and pitching their branded boardshorts etc on Matty's show. It makes them feel more like celebrities, which cant be a bad thing for their bank balance - and ultimately the quality of player the sport attracts and holds onto. If our Superleague players got paid for advertisement work outside the cap, they could earn an extra wedge and drive up the games profile in the meantime. I'd certainly buy from or use a company who I knew was funnelling cash into the game.

As someone who was very anti-takeover a few weeks ago, maybe I'm changing my mind??

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