British League in 2 years?

[Sandydragon]

The Fail is reporting that serious efforts to bring about a British and Irish league within 2 years are afoot.

Very little detail at the moment, but it would probably impact on European competitions.

Probably a good move for the regions with many fans interested in games against English opposition, but some big hurdles to overcome as well.

Will the English clubs be happy with the ownership models of the Celtic nations? Will the Celtic unions be happy at player release, I feel that the games political people will have real fun with this.

Financially the regions will be better off but how will the Italians and South Africans respond?

Many questions but as someone who has advocated this for a long time, I’m pleased it’s being looked at seriously.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Yes please

[Eugene Wrayburn]

It won't happen because the English clubs aren't stupid and don't want to share their tv money. It won't make more money than the current arrangements - it will simply cannibalise Heineken revenues. It won't be good for Welsh clubs who'll find themselves with fewer derbies and mainly stuck in the lower league. Also I think it's a fallacy that the welsh club supporters nowadays are more keen on watching them play English clubs. Ages ago I looked at the attendance figures and there just wasn't any bump for English teams

[Which Tyler]

It won't happen because the English clubs aren't stupid and don't want to share their tv money. It won't make more money than the current arrangements - it will simply cannibalise Heineken revenues. It won't be good for Welsh clubs who'll find themselves with fewer derbies and mainly stuck in the lower league. Also I think it's a fallacy that the welsh club supporters nowadays are more keen on watching them play English clubs. Ages ago I looked at the attendance figures and there just wasn't any bump for English teams

I think it'll happen within a decade - as Ireland unifies, Scotland secedes post-Brexit...
Then a British League would just be England and Wales

[fivepointer]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/an-anglo ... remiership

Pretty strong arguments against the move.

[Digby]

As ever getting dragged into a British league is a vomit inducing idea, but if CVC think they can drive up viewing figures by such a move then it' more likely than it was in the past.

[Sandydragon]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/an-anglo ... remiership

Pretty strong arguments against the move.

He is absolutely spot on about club ownership and the lack of success driving poor gate receipts, or at least being a significant contributory factor.

Although if the economics are so poor, why would hard nosed investors be interested?

[Eugene Wrayburn]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/an-anglo ... remiership

Pretty strong arguments against the move.

He is absolutely spot on about club ownership and the lack of success driving poor gate receipts, or at least being a significant contributory factor.

Although if the economics are so poor, why would hard nosed investors be interested?

Because they are stupid and don't understand rugby union.

[Sandydragon]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/an-anglo ... remiership

Pretty strong arguments against the move.

He is absolutely spot on about club ownership and the lack of success driving poor gate receipts, or at least being a significant contributory factor.

Although if the economics are so poor, why would hard nosed investors be interested?

Because they are stupid and don't understand rugby union.

Perhaps. Or maybe they are talking to people who do understand and are looking at the situation with fresh eyes.

Time will tell.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

He is absolutely spot on about club ownership and the lack of success driving poor gate receipts, or at least being a significant contributory factor.

Although if the economics are so poor, why would hard nosed investors be interested?

Because they are stupid and don't understand rugby union.

Perhaps. Or maybe they are talking to people who do understand and are looking at the situation with fresh eyes.

Time will tell.

Teams are currently owned by businessmen who are also rugby men. If there were fortunes to have been made, they'd have been made. CVC's hope is almost certainly that they can muscle in on the international game by demanding ever increasing sums from the unions