So the course of events is something like, chase leaves Salford having fallen out with the Dr/RL/himself/whatever. Leigh want to sign him as a way of making the difference in the 8's, they probably agree a deal in principle back in the summer. They realise or the rfl inform them they will be over the cap limit for 2016. DB publically states, sept sometime I think, that he will ignore the cap, threatens legal action and generally throws a bit of a strop. He then lobbies the rfl and the other champ clubs for a cap review. The rfl then suggest a raise in the cap with wording that basically implies you can spend what you want up to 1.3m if a benefactor will donate it (club relevant income) and guarantee it. The other clubs then apparently agree (I'm guessing this was unanimous? I'm guessing we must have agreed?? would be interesting to see the minutes from that meeting). The day after the cap is raised, to coincidentally probably the exact amount leigh need over the existing cap, they announce the signing of Chase. Well played DB and leigh. What would have been interesting is what would have happened to the chase deal if the other clubs or the rfl had disagreed to the cap raise?
In the long run a larger champ cap will also benefit us, as if we continue to be well run I suspect we can spend more than all our other champ rivals except Leigh, we just need to spend it in the right places and ensure its sustainable. After our recent history I'd prefer that than being reliant on one individual (which leigh appear to be heading towards at least in part if not entirely) or gambling on future success (like we've been guilty of before)
It also further splits the championship and reduces it as a viable competition other than a long preseason for the 8's as it makes the disparity between the haves (leigh), the could haves (us/London/sheff as the other FT teams) and have nots (everyone else) so much larger, this in no way helps teams like Fax, Fev or Batley.
Im interested to see what we do, if anything, with this increased cap space this year and next.
To be honest, since it started, I've considered the 'championship' bit to be a preseason to the really meaningful part, aka 'the eights'. In my view, the second tier cap needs to be more like SL if we're [that's the 'royal' we, btw] to have a more meaningful attempt at promotion. I accept it would make the early championship bit of the season a total joke but it's a joke already, so it may as well do it properly and be a total one.
The trouble is, he RFL screwed the pooch money-wise re the TV deal. They gave Sky full control of RL broadcasting when all Sky wants to show is SL. I mean, even the middle 8 TV schedule showed that with, I believe, only 1 televised game shown that did not include a SL side.
There's a lack of money in the game and the RFL have seen to it that Championship clubs don't get a fair cut of TV money or exposure
Has there been any official comment out of Odsal as to how the increase in the salary cap will affect us?
Yes, I've heard we're bringing back one of our own who's latest deal seems to have been blocked for salary cap reasons....apparently we're offering a loan deal, part funded by Mr Crowe, part funded by the Beaumont stretch to fit cap (tm), to keep him fit for his NRL 2nd debut in 2017;
Has there been any official comment out of Odsal as to how the increase in the salary cap will affect us?
Yes, I've heard we're bringing back one of our own who's latest deal seems to have been blocked for salary cap reasons....apparently we're offering a loan deal, part funded by Mr Crowe, part funded by the Beaumont stretch to fit cap (tm), to keep him fit for his NRL 2nd debut in 2017;
Suspect you're correct Bullseye, though how much we can actually afford must be be finally determined by the number of memberships we can sell and, of course, any further sponsorship deals.
If that's the case, since the magical half we all seem to believe is out there certainly isn't jumping up and down shouting, "here I am", maybe we'll hold our fire until just before the eights? Either way round, the new rule seems to be a game changer and, truth is, we're either in it to win it or we're making up the numbers.
Suspect you're correct Bullseye, though how much we can actually afford must be be finally determined by the number of memberships we can sell and, of course, any further sponsorship deals.
If that's the case, since the magical half we all seem to believe is out there certainly isn't jumping up and down shouting, "here I am", maybe we'll hold our fire until just before the eights? Either way round, the new rule seems to be a game changer and, truth is, we're either in it to win it or we're making up the numbers.
TBH my suspicion is that we already have a half sorted and we're waiting to announce it til the season ticket collection event. Together with the home shirt launch builds it up as more an event which might help convince people to buy season tickets earlier next year in order to be there. make it a regular thing that's theres some exclusive news announced at the event.
The trouble is, he RFL screwed the pooch money-wise re the TV deal. They gave Sky full control of RL broadcasting when all Sky wants to show is SL. I mean, even the middle 8 TV schedule showed that with, I believe, only 1 televised game shown that did not include a SL side.
There's a lack of money in the game and the RFL have seen to it that Championship clubs don't get a fair cut of TV money or exposure
My understanding was the Championship clubs got NO money from TV at all - not even when hosting the games. And then Ladbrokes were advertised on the pitch and Leigh got nowt for that neither!
Having read the posts in here, it seems that the rule changes have been half-baked at best.........