If the programme had just reported Wigan had financial problems, would we be as quick to dismiss it as a storm in a teacup, or would we be banking it as the truth and celebrating?

"There is no such thing as [ibad[/i publicity" - Michael O'Leary.

And RL needs all the publicity it can get...

The report made it onto BBC breakfast this morning.

Pity they don't have a great deal of coverage about RL, but when they do it's a negative like this.

Unfortunately that's utter rubbish-I wondered how long it would be before someone trotted that line out.

At a time when the game is seeking sponsorship of major competitions, this kind of story does not help.

And as far as clubs or any other businesses are concerned, perception of creditworthiness is vital. I've seen it before where stories go round that a business is struggling, people cut back credit terms, leading to a shortage of cash, precipitating financial difficulties. It's a self fulfilling proficy. That's why these stories can be so damaging.

Once again the BBC gives RL a brief mention and then quickly moves on despite potentially uncovering one of the most biggest issues in British sport: the financial struggles of Super League.

They can afford to dedicate Panorama programmes to football's financial irregularities or racism on the terraces but will they do a Panorama on this issue in rugby league, I doubt it?

They are covering up RL's financial problems just like they cover up the problems of crowd trouble. We all know that crowd trouble goes on, every time we are at a big game we have stories on here about Wigan or Leeds and their scum fans but will the BBC ever go to properly investigate that like they do football violence?

Just look at the number of football clubs that have entered administration over the years en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administra ... h_football) and then there's the clubs that are accumulating debt on a massive scale.

Just look at the number of football clubs that have entered administration over the years en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administra ... h_football) and then there's the clubs that are accumulating debt on a massive scale.

I haven't heard the programme so don't know if they did address this BUT £68m in debt in itself might not be a problem, depending on how you define "in debt". If this figure is just the amount of the debt in isolation and the game had assets of say £100m its not that bad. If the game had a grand total of £68m of negative assets then its screwed!!!

What did the programme say on these issues?

Nothing. It was only a 10 minute part of a 30 minute programme. The alleged total debt is complete guesswork. The whole thing is a farce.

I have been in discussions with Rob Wilson today about the article/programme. To his credit he has responded (though I'm unimpressed with his responses). I suggest others contact him too if they have any issues with what he said. You can email him at R.J.Wilson@shu.ac.uk

I have been in discussions with Rob Wilson today about the article/programme. To his credit he has responded (though I'm unimpressed with his responses). I suggest others contact him too if they have any issues with what he said. You can email him at R.J.Wilson@shu.ac.uk