In the papers today it is suggesting SL will return to 14 teams in 2019

Is this the return of franchises, end of middle 8's.

Makes you wonder what's been achieved over the past few years with the reduction to 12 and the return of 'P&R".

I don't think the 8's have done too badly. Certainly more interesting than the previous format.

But if the likes of Toronto, Toulouse and possibly New York in the future are going to be in SL then they'll have to increase it to 14 otherwise too much arguments and difficulty to demote current teams:

I hope this is true as it could be the shot in the arm we need. Get rid of the teams with terrible attendances and who are posting massive losses year on year like Huddersfield, Wakefield and Salford and bring in Toronto, Toulouse and New York

Regards

King James

I always thought reducing to twelve was a mistake. But i'd like to know whats changed from 4 years ago when having 12 teams was deemed a bad idea, and now having 14 teams is suddenly good. Simiarily with licensing. IMO it was a disaster for the sport.

Personally i think a simple 14 team SL, with a 5 team play-off, simple one up, one down. Maybe have a form of licensing based on facilities/player development etc where you got rewarded/penalised for the strength of those.

Just doesn't seem to be anu leadership or direction for these decisions.

Would like to see Bulls Toronto and Toulouse together with my club in a 14 team SL 2019, much rather see a two divisions of 10 SL though

Because North American teams are on the horizon now and whilst teams from lower leagues don't like it because it hurts their chances of SL, the potential they could bring the sport is huge.

14 teams and a magic weekend would see 27 rounds, (better for more internationals?) seems it would be the end of the super/middle 8 concept thank god! never liked it, was always a supporter of 1 up 1 down

top 5 for play offs too, any lower doesn't really deserve a shot at a final imo

T6 is better.
W1 - 3V6, 4V5 - losers out
W2 - W1 Highest winner at home - loser out, 1v2 winner to GF
W3 - lose 1v2 plays winner of elimination game
W4 GF

Had previous complaints due to a team only playing twice in 4 weeks and losing momentum.

I don't particularly like the concept of foreign teams in our competition, but if we accept that they are a part of our RL family then they should earn their place at the top table by winning on the field of play.

I'd certainly go for a max of top 6, but think top 5 is better.

And keep P&R but set clear and fair minimum standards for the team coming up. Like in football, set transfer windows so that clubs towards the bottom of SL can't try and buy their way out of relegation by bringing in players on short-term contracts.

I love the Wolfpack........but it's early days. London averaged 10k year one and Fulham got 30k back in the day........and lest we forget, if you don't average 10k a game, you're not profitable........so they either need to work harder or build a bigger beer tent




...and whilst under the same cap that the rest of the teams have to play under. The Current Toronto squad must have a fair few "volunteers" in it...

It should be promotion to SL for Toronto, Toulouse, London and Bradford, with Widnes, Salford and Wakefield competing for the axe of two clubs, and their relegation to Championship where they play the likes of Halifax, Leigh and Featherstone, not to mention Sheffield.

Future space needs to be made for New York and other north American and French teams with financial backing. There should be no restraint on expanding the size of SL beyond 14 in the future, but only to accommodate [isuccessful[/i expansion clubs.

We should aspire towards creating a north American conference and a French conference.

So who woukd be the two clubs that you'd get rid off ?

What makes you and the Bulls worthy of taking two spots, what could Leigh especially bring to SL that any of the existing clubs don't.

You've been in SL twice? And both times you were pathetic please explain your worth.

A 14 team Super League without promotion and relegation is the best way to grow the game IMO. Keep the playoffs a top 4 competition, this will give notmal league games much more value and importance.

Whilst forgetting to locate a team in the financial centre go Europe

These expansion/league format threads are hilarious.

Why so? Are you from lowly Leigh?

Crazy to go to 14 teams, we’ve not enough quality players at the moment to provide 12 teams. It’s obviously a gamble by the RFL to get Toronto and Toulouse in the comp and the usually exemption of these 2 teams from relegation for 2 or 3 years.
In 2019 Toronto and Toulouse will need around 40 new players of the right standard, where are these coming from, will it be from the shallow pool of players in the U.K. or an increased quota of overseas players.

I believe Salford, Widnes and Wakefield would be the teams facing the biggest challenge of submitting a winning licence application. All are struggling through the gate and lack a sugar Daddy.
As stated my preference would be two tens, that brings London and Avignon into the mix plus any US interest

Spot on. And I think we all know the answer to the last question. Then we can all go back to bitching about over the hill Aussie imports, and the whole debate about whether 14 teams should go back to 12 teams can start again.

This rumour has been doing the rounds for a while now possibly a year.

I see were you are coming from and kind of agree, 14 teams home away, no magic weekend straight 26 games 6 team playoff for me, one up one down, but promotion is based on licensing, you must bring something to the top table, and any side in super league regardless of league position can be relegated if they are not ticking the 3 main boxes, attendance, stadium, player development. all super league clubs should also me able to demonstrate self funding, tv revenue should be icing on the cake not reliant on this.

Can someone let me know when this fake idiot is off here...Bye

So as a club you've failed miserably throughout your history to be a genuine top side so now your only option is to play the franchise card. You really are a sad little pretender club with delusions of grandure.

You want our spot in SL win it like men in the pitch rather than being a cowardly sneak thief.

In fairness though you are a mirror to the game - totally lacking in morals and flushed with self interest.

Please don't come on here bleating like you lot always do when your spot goes to some club in the good old USA because their franchise was better than yours and that the Wigan area already has a much bigger and better club in SL - think on.

Maybe I should have added decision imminent.