Re: Brexit and Rugby League : Tue Jul 24, 2018 11:13 am
goobervision wrote:
Notwithstanding the player movements, which could put them on par with Australia (or worse in no-deal) isn't the blindingly obvious impact the economic impact?
We know that RFL fans are not the ABC demographics that attract the high spending sponsors. The average fan is of a more working-class background, with the loss of income / increased costs many won't be at games. Sponsors will not want to put as much money into the game, the grassroots already strapped for cash will have even less money.
As for no deal, that's the French games rather disrupted pretty quickly with delays at all ports, assuming flights work then reduced impacts and the Canada ones too as the air agreements between the EU would be dead and need to be recreated. I would think the sport wouldn't be on many people's mind in that scenario.
We know that RFL fans are not the ABC demographics that attract the high spending sponsors. The average fan is of a more working-class background, with the loss of income / increased costs many won't be at games. Sponsors will not want to put as much money into the game, the grassroots already strapped for cash will have even less money.
As for no deal, that's the French games rather disrupted pretty quickly with delays at all ports, assuming flights work then reduced impacts and the Canada ones too as the air agreements between the EU would be dead and need to be recreated. I would think the sport wouldn't be on many people's mind in that scenario.
The economic impact is the big one certainly. Nobody knows how it'll turn out for sure but according to JRM it could be 50 years before any Brexit benefit is seen. I think the game will suffer if the economy takes a turn for the worse.
As for the ports issue, it'll require clubs to get organised well in advance to make sure all the paperwork has been done before away games in France. It's not caused any issues with Toronto has it
Trouble is nobody knows what paperwork may or may not be necessary. It's not just about individual players and staff either. Will a club doctor in the UK still be accredited in the EU post Brexit? Will he/she be able to bring medical supplies over or will they need a permit? Teams will need to make sure insurance policies still cover them post Brexit too. When you start to think about it there are a lot of unknowns. No deal will throw all this into utter confusion.
