Has the RFL issued a tender or does anyone have any insider info on what might happen? Did Bikko infer that ESPN might try and bid for it/ part of it?

Given the financial situation it is imeprative that SL clubs get a good deal but if ESPN does not bid it looks as if we will have to go cap in hand to Sky

when does it run out?

This is the last season.

Panic stations. They'd be mad to offer us half what they do now. The terrestrial channels aren't interested and any non-sky sports channels are a risk as they often disappear within a year.

This is the time the RFL should be hiring some Union administrators on a consultant basis to give us the commercial ability to approach these crucial negotiations.

You saw what happened to the Naboo when they brought the Jedi in to negotiate with the Trade Federation.

Are IMG selling them again for us?

Forgot all about this!

Would be good if someone like ESPN came in to take on at least one game a week. The more games on TV, the more video referees we get which is always a bonus to the game itself. Plus, I'm not really satisfied with just my Friday and Saturday SL games on TV (especially since I usually miss the Friday game due to Hull playing). A Sunday game or two would be ideal!

Sky have started to introduce the Sunday games through the summer months over the last year or two IIRC, probably down to the fact there's no "Super Sunday" on during June/July.

That is a ball ache isn't it, especially as over the years since Wigan switched in 2001, more and more clubs have moved to Friday, (and before anyone says its not the same watching it delayed after on Sky+ or whatever).



ESPN aren't going anywhere. They are a globally brand with 30 years of successful broadcasting behind them. A far cry from Setanta.

it makes sense for SKY to keep the amount they put in to the game at the same level it is at now (at the very least), in order to maintain the standards of the competition.

If they reduce their TV deal, they will inevitably be reducing the standard of product they can offer to their customers.

In my view the product quality has been reduced vastly anyway, particulary since the increase from 12 to 14 teams.

You make a good point.