Our game is dying...

[tim2]

http://www.therfl.co.uk/about/news_item.php?id=18323

The profit isn't very much but then again it's better to pay it out to the clubs, grassroots, the Benevolent fund, facilities etc. than pay tax and have it in the bank.

Well done, RFL management.

[Gruff]

Very nice to see that - especially the bit about giving

[The Clan]

When set against the backdrop of a global recession the continued profitability of the RFL (8yrs running) is a great indication that they're getting some things right.

[cookey]

A Warrigton v Leeds Carnegie Challenge Cup Final should sell out and help profits for 2010 - may also help to get a decent gate for London Skolars,if they promote their friday night match properly.

[jannerboyuk]

It was interesting to see that

[foozler]

A Warrigton v Leeds Carnegie Challenge Cup Final should sell out and help profits for 2010 - may also help to get a decent gate for London Skolars,if they promote their friday night match properly.

Was about to comment that it would be an interesting game but realise that by Leeds Carnegie Challenge Cup you were refering to the Cup sponsor rather than the Leeds Rugby Union team.

[HappyDave]

It was interesting to see that

Edited July 7, 2010 by HappyDave

[yanto]

The accounts show that in 2009 the RFL recorded a profit before tax of

[Dave T]

The accounts show that in 2009 the RFL recorded a profit before tax of

[yanto]

Isn't it right that the RFL are run as a not-for-profit organisation?

Is that right Dave??

Maybe thats why we lag so behind the major team sports in the UK.

RFU Profit before tax increased from a loss of

[tim2]

Is that right Dave??

Maybe thats why we lag so behind the major team sports in the UK.

RFU Profit before tax increased from a loss of

[Steve May]

Is that right Dave??

Maybe thats why we lag so behind the major team sports in the UK.

RFU Profit before tax increased from a loss of

[ckn]

Yes they did, just chose to distribute it to the game. What good would it being doing in Osborne's pocket or in the bank? There are no shareholders to worry about.

I think it all depends on whether you want to live year-by-year or put stuff away in a rainy-day pot. The RFU seems to like large profits to keep up their reserves, allowing them to do large-scale capital projects, and also try to give roughly the same out every year, the RFL seems to like doing it on a year-by-year basis.

I personally would prefer a lower increase to the clubs and more away in reserves as I think sport funding, especially through Sport England, will get hammered after the Olympics in 2012. If you get the amateur game used to a level of funding then reduce it sharply to meet a poorer general fund then you get a situation where the game could struggle.

Well done to the RFL for yet another good set of results, maybe it's time to think of the future though and start increasing that piggy-bank for rainy days.

[thecoffeeman]

Great news this. The small profit is not an issue really, as most of the member clubs have had a share of it before the accounts were closed and would have been taxable after.

Slightly off topic, but related. I looked the the RFL's accounts in the annual report for last year - can anyone tell me where I can see in detail the revenues and possible profit figures for the Super League Grand Final and the Challenge Cup Final? It would be interesting to see these, especially considering that there wasn't an international test series in the period in the last annual report.

Edited July 8, 2010 by thecoffeeman

[Dave T]

I think it all depends on whether you want to live year-by-year or put stuff away in a rainy-day pot. The RFU seems to like large profits to keep up their reserves, allowing them to do large-scale capital projects, and also try to give roughly the same out every year, the RFL seems to like doing it on a year-by-year basis.

I personally would prefer a lower increase to the clubs and more away in reserves as I think sport funding, especially through Sport England, will get hammered after the Olympics in 2012. If you get the amateur game used to a level of funding then reduce it sharply to meet a poorer general fund then you get a situation where the game could struggle.

Well done to the RFL for yet another good set of results, maybe it's time to think of the future though and start increasing that piggy-bank for rainy days.

Some good points, and I suppose the problem is that almost all of the revenue is guaranteed back to the clubs. Much of the revenue is the TV deals and Sport England grants which in effect is mainly directed straight to the clubs.

I would expect that the RFL gets money from limited sponsors and a few events (Grand Final and Challenge Cup) which would allow them to run the game.

Without a succesful International game, I struggle to see where they could boost their reserves. I would suspect that is where the Union money comes from in the main, through ticket sales and commercial activities. They have at least 6 or 7 full Twickenham events with major corporate activity to bring money in, which League does not have.

The international game is crucial for so many reasons.

[Kenilworth Tiger]

Well there's

[Bulliac]

I think it all depends on whether you want to live year-by-year or put stuff away in a rainy-day pot. The RFU seems to like large profits to keep up their reserves, allowing them to do large-scale capital projects, and also try to give roughly the same out every year, the RFL seems to like doing it on a year-by-year basis.

I personally would prefer a lower increase to the clubs and more away in reserves as I think sport funding, especially through Sport England, will get hammered after the Olympics in 2012. If you get the amateur game used to a level of funding then reduce it sharply to meet a poorer general fund then you get a situation where the game could struggle.

Well done to the RFL for yet another good set of results, maybe it's time to think of the future though and start increasing that piggy-bank for rainy days.

To be honest ckn, with the mindset of the current government I can see ALL sport funding, with the exception of prestige events like the Olympcs, being cut with fairly immediate effect. We need only look at what they have done to local councils where funding has been cut on projects which are already underway. If they can do this with council and school budgets I can't see any sport getting away with it for long.

Edited July 8, 2010 by Bulliac

[Dave T]

Well there's

[Kenilworth Tiger]

On that point, don't fines go to the RFL Benevolant fund? I believe they do from disciplinaries, and it would be good if this kind of find did too.

Not sure Dave - if it goes to the Benevolent fund then great.

Maybe this money went to.............Actually no I'd better not!!!

[Blind side johnny]

Is that right Dave??

Maybe thats why we lag so behind the major team sports in the UK.

RFU Profit before tax increased from a loss of

[cookey]

As Labour not only spent all the money,but also spent vast amounts of money they didn't have,then yes,the Tories will have to reduce Sports expenditure.Rather like Clubs spending money they don't have and being forced into Administration - unfortunately the U.K. can't go into Administration to clear the debts.Thanks Labour.

[Bulliac]

As Labour not only spent all the money,but also spent vast amounts of money they didn't have,then yes,the Tories will have to reduce Sports expenditure.Rather like Clubs spending money they don't have and being forced into Administration - unfortunately the U.K. can't go into Administration to clear the debts.Thanks Labour.

Pathetic.

I would go further but this is an RL forum not somewhere to stick rightwing loony arguments, please stick to the thread.

[Yakstorm]

What is the point of making a large profit today if it means you are going to limit your future earnings? Same what's the point in giving some of your hard earned money to the government in tax when it could be better re-invested back into ones business?

The RFL's stance is a smart move. They have recorded a profit for the 8th successive year which will give confidence to partners of the sport, whilst insuring that money is put back into to grow the code.

The sport needs more players, more supporters, and it needs strong member clubs, so where the RFL is redirecting money all positive.

Honestly I think some people just like to complain for the sake of complaining. League in the UK is in a good position, sure it can be better, but hey as we all know, it could be a lot lot lot worse....

[boxhead]

I think the game has some pretty big problems.

Until more teams are competitive to the point where they challenge to be the best team in SL on a regular basis its a limited league with only half the teams with a chance and recently only a couple that ever win anything of consequence.

The Crowds are not really growing and the local players that are top notch world class would not make up one squad of 17.

Many of the sponsors are local and poor in all honesty and not anywhere close to National companies that relate to National exposure

If the TV deal is downgraded its curtains for half the Clubs.

Sorry to be negative but the game is at the crossroads.

The franchise points system was pretty pathetic and nearly half the Clubs need a new ground with little happening other than PR ######.

Several Clubs have a population base that ensures they can never be a big Club or be competitive over a number of years.

Edited July 11, 2010 by AndyCapp

[Yakstorm]

I take it you mean that many of the club sponsors are local, because at the RFL level, outside of Carnegie and Frontline, the rest of the companies are at least national organisations, or part of a multi-national setup.

Here is the current RFL Sponsors just to show:

- William Hill (National)

- Proctor & Gamble (Multinational)

- IHG (Multinational)

- BSkyB (National)

- Engage (National)

- The Co-Operative (National)

- Carnegie (Regional)

- Frontline (Regional)

- Serco-NedRailways (Multinational)

- Puma (Multinational)

- IrnBru (Multinational)

- Peters (National)

- Dewalt (Multinational)

- Valvoline (Multinational)

- Polar (Multinational)

- Steeden (Multinational)

- 2XU (Multinational)