Now is the time

[ATLANTISMAN]

To answer a couple of posters 

on here the only reason why we have never had overseas investment is that no-one has ever pursued it.

The USA are our natural investors here rugby league is totally undervalued has a great history support base and clubs revenue streams can easily be grown.

To put it into perspective if one wanted to buy the NY Giants it would cost you around 4 Billion US.There are plenty of American investor's that would love to get their hands on a sporting franchise but cannot afford that amount of money but can easily afford 100 million plus.

AFC Bournemouth with a stadium capacity of around 12000 went for 110 million Gillingam.FC was recently sold to an American investor British Basketball recently received 7 million investment from a Florida based sports investment fund.

The England brand can be used to take the game to new areas whilst 100%support should be given to the traditional clubs + we need a strong London team and one more French team in SL.

Right now one of our most known clubs in history would bite the hands off an investor if they were offered 5 million that's how low some value their brand.

Take an American to rugby league and its 5 mins and they get it there is a massive opportunity out there we just need to get out there and sell the sizzle.

On another note i don't believe for one minute that London was looked at for one of the forthcoming Tonga tests yet another massive opportunity missed.

 

P

 

Edited June 3 by ATLANTISMAN

[gingerjon]

17 minutes ago, ATLANTISMAN said:

To answer a couple of posters 

on here the only reason why we have never had overseas investment is that no-one has ever pursued it.

The USA are our natural investors here rugby league is totally undervalued has a great history support base and clubs revenue streams can easily be grown.

To put it into perspective if one wanted to buy the NY Giants it would cost you around 4 Billion US.There are plenty of American investor's that would love to get their hands on a sporting franchise but cannot afford that amount of money but can easily afford 100 million plus.

AFC Bournemouth with a stadium capacity of around 12000 went for 110 million Gillingam.FC was recently sold to an American investor British Basketball recently received 7 million investment from a Florida based sports investment fund.

The England brand can be used to take the game to new areas whilst 100%support should be given to the traditional clubs + we need a strong London team and one more French team in SL.

Right now one of our most known clubs in history would bite the hands off an investor if they were offered 5 million that's how low some value their brand.

Take an American to rugby league and its 5 mins and they get it there is a massive opportunity out there we just need to get out there and sell the sizzle.

On another note i don't believe for one minute that London was looked at for one of the forthcoming Tonga tests yet another massive opportunity missed.

 

P

 

https://img.com/contact/

[fighting irish]

1 hour ago, gingerjon said:

https://img.com/contact/

What's this about mate? 

[Damien]

2 hours ago, ATLANTISMAN said:

To answer a couple of posters 

on here the only reason why we have never had overseas investment is that no-one has ever pursued it.

The USA are our natural investors here rugby league is totally undervalued has a great history support base and clubs revenue streams can easily be grown.

To put it into perspective if one wanted to buy the NY Giants it would cost you around 4 Billion US.There are plenty of American investor's that would love to get their hands on a sporting franchise but cannot afford that amount of money but can easily afford 100 million plus.

AFC Bournemouth with a stadium capacity of around 12000 went for 110 million Gillingam.FC was recently sold to an American investor British Basketball recently received 7 million investment from a Florida based sports investment fund.

The England brand can be used to take the game to new areas whilst 100%support should be given to the traditional clubs + we need a strong London team and one more French team in SL.

Right now one of our most known clubs in history would bite the hands off an investor if they were offered 5 million that's how low some value their brand.

Take an American to rugby league and its 5 mins and they get it there is a massive opportunity out there we just need to get out there and sell the sizzle.

On another note i don't believe for one minute that London was looked at for one of the forthcoming Tonga tests yet another massive opportunity missed.

 

P

None of this attracts an overseas investor to buy an English SL club.

Talking about a club like Bournemouth is completely irrelevant, as is their stadium being 12k. An overseas investor buys a English football club like that because it is appealing to do so and there is plenty of money in Football. Its the rich mans keeping up with the Joneses. Get that club to the Premier League and it is a minimum £100+ million in TV money. If you had bought an existing premier league club over the last couple of decades and played your cards right you'd have been quids in. If not its all debt you saddle the club with through leveraged buyouts and tax write offs.

Yes the British Basketball League (BBL) got investment from 777 Partners. However I would strongly argue that a £7 million investment for a 45% stake in the professional league is not a model we should be seeking to emulate. I have spoken out against PE often enough on this forum and the lessons are all there to see in RU.

The whole if they see RL they would be enamoured argument has shown not to be true time and again. If all of this is so easy why hasn't someone like Lachlan Murdoch not created some sort of North American competition made for TV and got rich friend to invest in franchises. Why hasn't he invested in Super League in the UK? It is not like rich people do not know about Rugby League and it is not like there are none that are fans of the game.

[The Rocket]

3 hours ago, Damien said:

If all of this is so easy why hasn't someone like Lachlan Murdoch not created some sort of North American competition made for TV and got rich friend to invest in franchises. Why hasn't he invested in Super League in the UK? It is not like rich people do not know about Rugby League and it is not like there are none that are fans of the game.

I`ve wondered that in the past. Perhaps attempting to set up a rival League in America risks not only having the American venture fail but also probably setting back the Australian game irrevocably and ending the nice little racket he`s got going down here.

[EggFace]

21 hours ago, ATLANTISMAN said:

Now is the time for the game to strike and go for some serious overseas investment in the game.

Club RU is in a total mess London Irish on the verge Leicester hanging on by their bootlaces.

As a sport we are totally  undervalued with a fantastic historic fan base.

Expect calls from some for a merger of the codes this must be resisted at all costs.

Interesting times 

 

Paul

Well if we can't have a merger (never say never) then as I said before it's not just Union players who might cross codes but maybe the some pro/semi pro/ amateur clubs should jump codes esp the ones in the wildness.

[ATLANTISMAN]

Its totally irrelevant to try to compare Premier league soccer revenue to potential investment .

What we are selling is a totally undervalued product with great potential to increase revenue streams for a fraction of the price.

[gingerjon]

29 minutes ago, ATLANTISMAN said:

Its totally irrelevant to try to compare Premier league soccer revenue to potential investment .

What we are selling is a totally undervalued product with great potential to increase revenue streams for a fraction of the price.

The IMG link is above.

You might have noticed something about a 12 year partnership to address the undervaluing and low income of the sport?

[ATLANTISMAN]

1 minute ago, gingerjon said:

The IMG link is above.

You might have noticed something about a 12 year partnership to address the undervaluing and low income of the sport?

With all due respect IMG is just an excuse for kicking the can further down the road .

 

[Damien]

32 minutes ago, ATLANTISMAN said:

Its totally irrelevant to try to compare Premier league soccer revenue to potential investment .

What we are selling is a totally undervalued product with great potential to increase revenue streams for a fraction of the price.

As you are the one that chose to cite a Premier League team it's really weird to then say its irrelevant because you don't like the argument.

[gingerjon]

1 hour ago, ATLANTISMAN said:

With all due respect IMG is just an excuse for kicking the can further down the road .

 

That'll be why the criteria are in place and clubs having to adapt and change.

[Harry Stottle]

18 hours ago, gingerjon said:

That'll be why the criteria are in place and clubs having to adapt and change.

BUT who are IMG selling this concept to Jon?

Who outside the sport or indeed those inside the sport who do not come on to platforms such as this or read the game mags and publications know about or are aware of IMG and their intentions.

I have conducted my own mini research in asking people at games I have attended (not just my own clubs fans) in what they think about IMG's involvement with RL, the most popular answer is "Who", if those who are patrons and involved in the sport don't know of these changes and more importantly don't seem to be to bothered about it how is the enthusiasm going to spread?

[Tommygilf]

6 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

BUT who are IMG selling this concept to Jon?

Who outside the sport or indeed those inside the sport who do not come on to platforms such as this or read the game mags and publications know about or are aware of IMG and their intentions.

I have conducted my own mini research in asking people at games I have attended (not just my own clubs fans) in what they think about IMG's involvement with RL, the most popular answer is "Who", if those who are patrons and involved in the sport don't know of these changes and more importantly don't seem to be to bothered about it how is the enthusiasm going to spread?

They don't have to be aware of IMG, they are just the background figures. Do you think F1 fans, a sport that has exploded in popularity globally over the past 5 years, are all aware of Liberty Media?

The proof will be in the pudding. If new audiences engage with the sport then we'll be in a good place and IMG will be doing their job.

[EggFace]

If I was getting paid by IMG for helping the game of Rugby League then I be doing my fans research live and online with forums like this.

[Damien]

34 minutes ago, EggFace said:

If I was getting paid by IMG for helping the game of Rugby League then I be doing my fans research live and online with forums like this.

Speaking of which were the results off last year's strategic consultation ever release? It would be great to know how much fans were actually being listened to when it came to changes.

[Tommygilf]

5 minutes ago, Damien said:

Speaking of which were the results off last year's strategic consultation ever release? It would be great to know how much *fans were actually being listened to when it came to changes.

*existing fans.

Its a hard balance to strike, but surely the message can't be clearer that the current audience isn't broad enough.

It would be interesting to see the fan survey results.

[Damien]

16 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

*existing fans.

Its a hard balance to strike, but surely the message can't be clearer that the current audience isn't broad enough.

It would be interesting to see the fan survey results.

Undoubtedly it would be interesting. I take your point about existing fans but it's actually why I am most interested. It's actually my belief that the game has long catered to small percentage with its decisions and that most fans are actually a lot more open minded and progressive. It's those fans that have been let down.

Edited June 5 by Damien

[Hello]

On 03/06/2023 at 08:12, Ackroman said:

Not planning to be around long then?

Honestly, I'm not sure of your comment. I don't know whether you are making a witty observation about the bleak future of the game or implying that I would never watch a game again as I've lost interest. Truth is, I still take a lot of interest in following what is happening. That doesn't mean that I have to like what I see going on in the game. Neither does it mean that I am one of those proclaiming to have lost interest - I haven't. Show me a decent plan to drag the game into the 21st century and I'd be all for it.  I would also like to add that, despite my at times frustrated and angery tone, I am not against small town clubs at all, I think that it is good for any sort to have investment such as has happened at Leigh. What I am against is those, and we all know who they are, who repeatedly tell us that expansion is impossible and are glad when bad things happen to expansion teams because it protects their own small world in their mistaken view. The reality is that everyone benefits from increased reach and exposure in any sport.

[StandOffHalf]

On 02/06/2023 at 17:59, LeeF said:

If Union wasn’t already in trouble

 

 

RimJob riding to the rescue!

[Harry Stottle]

5 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

The proof will be in the pudding. If new audiences engage with the sport

Most definatley Tommy we will see what transpires, you use the word I highlight IF, I think the jury is well and truly out on this one.

[Tommygilf]

50 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

Most definatley Tommy we will see what transpires, you use the word I highlight IF, I think the jury is well and truly out on this one.

That's their remit. They have 12 years to do it and only get their fee if they do.

Doesn't change the fact that not many people save the uber nerds like us will have a clue who IMG are.

Edited June 4 by Tommygilf

[Bradman Better]

American investors might be the way to invigorate London clubs, namely London Broncos and London Skolars (which would need to be renamed something other than Skolars).

We really need three London clubs: West London Broncos, North London and South London. Once we have attracted a big investor to the West London Broncos it should be easier to attract others investors to North London (currently Skolars) and South London clubs.

However there must be a guaranteed quick path for these clubs to Super League. The current idiocy of M62 promotion and relegation has to be scrapped completely in favour of franchises. Otherwise north American investors will not be interested.

And while you are at it you need to have big investment -- French or others -- in Toulouse. And from there get a club up and running in Paris. But again the idiocy of promotion and relegation must be scrapped, otherwise it will not work.

Edited June 5 by Bradman Better

[Ackroman]

15 hours ago, Hello said:

Honestly, I'm not sure of your comment. I don't know whether you are making a witty observation about the bleak future of the game or implying that I would never watch a game again as I've lost interest. Truth is, I still take a lot of interest in following what is happening. That doesn't mean that I have to like what I see going on in the game. Neither does it mean that I am one of those proclaiming to have lost interest - I haven't. Show me a decent plan to drag the game into the 21st century and I'd be all for it.  I would also like to add that, despite my at times frustrated and angery tone, I am not against small town clubs at all, I think that it is good for any sort to have investment such as has happened at Leigh. What I am against is those, and we all know who they are, who repeatedly tell us that expansion is impossible and are glad when bad things happen to expansion teams because it protects their own small world in their mistaken view. The reality is that everyone benefits from increased reach and exposure in any sport.

OK, I'll bite. Re-read your post - and have a good look at the RU Premiership table. How many of these big city clubs in their big cities are any bigger than their northern counter-parts? 

Sarries play in a 10k stadium in Barnet, Sale is a suburb of Manchester, Gloucester and Bath could fit into Leeds, together with Exeter.  Newcastle are doomed and we have an RL version of them and 3 clubs are now bust.

The only thing RU has on RL is the establishment bank rolling these 2-bit amateur run mens clubs being made to look far bigger than they are - and you've proved it by buying into the narrative.

[Harry Stottle]

14 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

That's their remit. They have 12 years to do it and only get their fee if they do.

Doesn't change the fact that not many people save the uber nerds like us will have a clue who IMG are.

If I was a betting man my wager would be that IMG won't be around that long not even 50% of it, what they will get paid on is not any of the clubs buying into their system but the amount of newbies they can attract be that physically or through the many paying media outlets putting in extra monies. If we were back in the 60's or 70's when there was not the plethora of other activities available today they may have a chance, but we are in the main a provincial sport that >90% of its income is derived from, if IMG's methods can increase the proffits by 10% (which they will take if they last the course) they will have done extremely well, but I think long before the term is up they will realise they are "flogging a dead horse" and will cut their losses and scarper.

And I really do fear for the lower divisions longevity under IMG's methods.

Just my view of course.

[Harry Stottle]

2 hours ago, Bradman Better said:

American investors might be the way to invigorate London clubs, namely London Broncos and London Skolars (which would need to be renamed something other than Skolars).

We really need three London clubs: West London Broncos, North London and South London. Once we have attracted a big investor to the West London Broncos it should be easier to attract others investors to North London (currently Skolars) and South London clubs.

However there must be a guaranteed quick path for these clubs to Super League. The current idiocy of M62 promotion and relegation has to be scrapped completely in favour of franchises. Otherwise north American investors will not be interested.

And while you are at it you need to have big investment -- French or others -- in Toulouse. And from there get a club up and running in Paris. But again the idiocy of promotion and relegation must be scrapped, otherwise it will not work.

Pure fantasy Mr Better, 

Twice you hope for "attracting a big investor" not once but 3 times in London and again twice more in France you've not got a snowballs in hell chance.

I don't know why all you fantasists who think that the game is going to be as successful anywhere else as it has been for the 128 years of its life believe its needs a radical change.

Get rid of P&R and introduce Franchising - which is going to happen under IMG but by a different name but it will be by the very same clubs that are now in existance, located in the sane places along the M62 and watch the lower divisions ebb away.