French Pro League Crops Up Again

[The Daddy]

Really hope it comes off. This time it looks like they're working with the NRL and trying to get some public funds to make it happen. 

Hope for the best, but always expect the worst. 

 

Edited September 23 by The Daddy

[Damien]

I saw this yesterday and thought what's the point of posting it. We seem to get this everytime there is a new President. Obviously I hope it comes off but without proper plans and investment its just more talk.

[sam4731]

I think if the investment are proven and solid, this is the best way for Catalans and TO to develop. They need to be playing in France and it's a win win for all parties. English clubs stop moaning about French clubs and French clubs have genuine pathways.

Bonus of a potential 'Champions League' style comp too between the nations.

[The 4 of Us]

The delicious irony. NRL turn eyes to France, sets up successful league and in 10 years usual suspects are whipping themselves up into a frothy mouthed fury about how unfair it is that the French are nicking all the best players.

[Coggo]

9 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

Bonus of a potential 'Champions League' style comp too between the nations.

Or French teams could enter the playoffs of the European Super League...

[sam4731]

3 minutes ago, Coggo said:

Or French teams could enter the playoffs of the European Super League...

Ive always advocated for clubs having more to play for so my personal preference would be another competition but thats just my view.

I also think if we have the top however many qualify for the new competition, we could reduce down the amount of teams in the playoffs, which again would be my preference.

[Damien]

22 minutes ago, The 4 of Us said:

The delicious irony. NRL turn eyes to France, sets up successful league and in 10 years usual suspects are whipping themselves up into a frothy mouthed fury about how unfair it is that the French are nicking all the best players.

I've always thought that the NRL could get way more bang for its buck in France than doing anything with the English game. It's practically a clean slate where they could have much more control and make huge improvements.

[Sports Prophet]

9 minutes ago, Damien said:

I've always thought that the NRL could get way more bang for its buck in France than doing anything with the English game. It's practically a clean slate where they could have much more control and make huge improvements.

I’ve similarly mentioned this before, although heaven almighty, there is just so much to do.

[The Daddy]

8 minutes ago, Damien said:

I've always thought that the NRL could get way more bang for its buck in France than doing anything with the English game. It's practically a clean slate where they could have much more control and make huge improvements.

Most definitely, so much more potential and quick wins to be made 

[Toby Chopra]

1 hour ago, sam4731 said:

I think if the investment are proven and solid, this is the best way for Catalans and TO to develop. They need to be playing in France and it's a win win for all parties. English clubs stop moaning about French clubs and French clubs have genuine pathways.

Bonus of a potential 'Champions League' style comp too between the nations.

Catalan are stronger than most English clubs and have a twenty year history of playing competitively alongside them, so forcing them into a fledgling French league is the last thing they need.

We need Cats and TO in Superleague AND a pro French league beneath that.

[sam4731]

8 minutes ago, Toby Chopra said:

Catalan are stronger than most English clubs and have a twenty year history of playing competitively alongside them, so forcing them into a fledgling French league is the last thing they need.

We need Cats and TO in Superleague AND a pro French league beneath that.

What I'm talking about though is a funding level comparable to what SL is today.

[LeytherRob]

1 hour ago, The 4 of Us said:

The delicious irony. NRL turn eyes to France, sets up successful league and in 10 years usual suspects are whipping themselves up into a frothy mouthed fury about how unfair it is that the French are nicking all the best players.

I've never seen anyone, on either side of the expansion discussion, say they wouldn't want a strong French league, so I'm not sure who these usual suspects are that you want to rub it in the nose of. In terms of European development, it's basically the best-case scenario.

There is a very big difference between having opinions on whether or not having French clubs in a predominantly UK league from a financial perspective (I'm pro French btw) and being against French rugby league as a whole. 

[barnyia]

Pie in the sky as always, never going to happen, too many self centred  people, and too much  politics involved in french rl clubs/leagues for this to happen. 

[The 4 of Us]

4 hours ago, LeytherRob said:

I've never seen anyone, on either side of the expansion discussion, say they wouldn't want a strong French league, so I'm not sure who these usual suspects are that you want to rub it in the nose of. In terms of European development, it's basically the best-case scenario.

There is a very big difference between having opinions on whether or not having French clubs in a predominantly UK league from a financial perspective (I'm pro French btw) and being against French rugby league as a whole. 

Comment by a Leigh fan and liked by a Bradford. Did I hit a nerve?

[Henson Park Old Firm]

2032 FRL Headline, Wigan declares it wants too play in the French Super League

[LeytherRob]

44 minutes ago, The 4 of Us said:

Comment by a Leigh fan and liked by a Bradford. Did I hit a nerve?

Not really sure which part of 'I'm pro French' was difficult to understand, but to be absolutely clear - I am in favour of having French teams in the UK system, including SL.

[sam4731]

2 hours ago, Henson Park Old Firm said:

2032 FRL Headline, Wigan declares it wants too play in the French Super League

Wigan is told that it will have to pay costs for all visiting teams.

[EggFace]

What crowds do the French Elite get ?.

Maybe a conference style thing with the Championship and French Elite ?

[eal]

Ah, the annual French Pro League post.

[dealwithit]

5 hours ago, EggFace said:

What crowds do the French Elite get ?.

Maybe a conference style thing with the Championship and French Elite ?

Varies from a few hundred to a few thousand. Much like Championship

[Eddie]

I’ll believe this when I see it, the French game is great but realistically it’s miles off being professional, mainly played in villages. 

[sam4731]

I think that this can definitely work. The only thing it needs, and its a biggie, is money. You invest NRL levels of money, you could probably make a good go of it in Romania.

I think that the best model would be the F1 model in which one person/consortium owns the sport in the country and teams are merely franchises. It gives enough incentive that this investor would get a decent ROI.

[Eddie]

54 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

I think that this can definitely work. The only thing it needs, and its a biggie, is money. You invest NRL levels of money, you could probably make a good go of it in Romania.

I think that the best model would be the F1 model in which one person/consortium owns the sport in the country and teams are merely franchises. It gives enough incentive that this investor would get a decent ROI.

It needs more than money tbf, it also needs players, coaches, other staff, stadiums, volunteers, supporters, sponsors and a tv deal, to name just a few. 

[sam4731]

10 minutes ago, Eddie said:

It needs more than money tbf, it also needs players, coaches, other staff, stadiums, volunteers, supporters, sponsors and a tv deal, to name just a few. 

But with money, that other stuff comes. It may take a little time, but it will come.

[Briacbzh]

Average situation of the Super XIII :they play in front of about 200 people, have budgets of around €400,000, and their national media visibility is absolutely non-existent.

It’s comparable to fifth- or sixth-division rugby union or football.

So the question is:

With what money? Public authorities aren’t going to spend millions on this kind of project.

With which players?

With what media coverage?

What about TO and the Dragons?