I think that £250k is an estimate including such things as merchandising and sponsorship income, not just prize money - it was quoted as the "cost" of getting knocked out. Last I heard, it was £100k prize money for the CC winners (and £35k for the beaten finalists).

Even so, it pays more to lose the CC than to win the GF.

How on Earth have the RFL ever allowed a situation like that to develop?

No, Mr. Lenegan quoted that the winning team 'received' £250 K for the Challenge Cup final win, but for the premier super league grand final event, winner £30 K loser £15K. Shocking when you compare it ( as he did ) to Oxford winning the conference league at Wembly and receiving almost £500K as their share of gate money.

The big issue is that the league has been mis managed for far too long and we need professionals in charge, not amateurs who don't know what they are doing. It is ridiculous that the Leeds based RFL seem to be so incompetent and yet so 'in charge' of this great sport. Time for change.

The only one who won't like whats coming, other than the chimps at the RFL is Mr & Mrs Etherington, but its about time they had their wings clipped too. Far too much influence over the game to their own advantage and it is holding everyone back.

Good luck to IL and the rest of the chairmen, about time too.

That won't even cover the cost of flying the squad to Aus for the WCC

Wow.

I'm genuinely shocked by that.

I already knew that GF winners received less than the CC winners, which was already a joke, but I had no idea that the difference was so much.

30k for being crowned champions is an utter joke.

Like OL said, it won't even cover the cost of the trip to Oz.

RFL are a joke (not the first - or last - time that's been said).

It'd be a strong signal if he and Lenagan were on the same page about it all.

Is the £30k prize money or share of gate money? I seem to remember a couple of years ago reading that Leeds got about 10 times that as prize money for winning the GF while we as league leaders got about £80k after failing to make the GF (we were effectively third place).

I also remember Tony Colquitt when still at Saints (as CEO IIRC) being asked on Radio Manchester whether the Challenge Cup wins or GF wins were better financially said the cup was, as the gate money was split between the two finalists (minus the RFL share). Whereas for the playoffs all playoff game ticket money goes into a pot and is split after the GF between all 8 competing clubs. Prize money he said generally is split between the players (as they earned it) and that the clubs themselves earn from gate share rather than prize money.

That is my understanding as well. The CC is way more lucrative and given it gets bigger crowds (78K for the CC v 66K for the GF this year) you can see why clubs are so keen to get there.

Just looked at the thread on the Virtual Terrace about this topic and it says there are 7 clubs meeting up to discuss matters and Leeds are not one of them.

Why have a club who are a large part of the problem taking any part in organising a solution ?

They need to be put in line and realise that they are not bigger than the game itself.

Well according to someone who was at the end of season club dinner the other night IL was bemoaning the influence of G and K Hethrington on the RFL. So it looks like IL does see them as part of the problem.

The RFL has cut the income to the two CC finalists this year, it is nowhere near as lucrative as in the past but probably still attracts a better return than the GF.

[urlhttp://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_13490-rfl-resources-drained-by-micro-managing-clubs-in-licensing-system.html?[/url

Seems the review has gone deeper than expected and found some serious flaws throughout.

I have to say that is a complete joke of a statement from the RFL and it's no wonder IL is fed up with them if that is what the RFL are saying.

They could not seek out commercial opportunities because they were too busy running the licensing system?

That has got to be the biggest and lamest excuse they could possibly have dreamt up to cover the fact the RFL have failed miserably in doing things like obtaining a main sponsor.

And if they were so busy micro managing the clubs how come that didn't prevent Bradford going bust?

Epic fail on both counts. They failed to run the licensing system properly pronouncing Bradford were OK only a short time before they went bust and they have failed commercially.

The fact they try and blame commercial failure on them being too busy with licensing is just immense spin.

SL get 14/15ths of the sky money, Leigh got £75k this year I understand, so its not about split surely
Most SL clubs can't look after themselves let alone run a comp and with a break away do they take the junior game with them?
Are the RFL competent, probably not but RL is too small to split unless its to a hybrid game of course and the union millions that opens up

You talk as if we aren't already under attack from the Union millions?

I recommend we wait and see what they are proposing before deciding it'll be the death of the game.

Agreed, it's a ridiculous cop out and they should be embarrassed with themselves. The whole organisation needs a major clear out, hopefully they are made accountable for their (lack of) performance.

I get the impression this is what IL is aiming for and if so I hope he is successful and he deserves credit for trying. It's what Mo would have done! Apparently McManus at Saints shares similar views.

Surprised Salford have not had something to say? The Doc hardly seems happy with them either.

Nigel Wood is, I believe, currently working at/for Salford in some capacity. So that could explain it. The Doc is hardly going to join in a vote of no-confidence in him if he is working for the club.

IL also said Simon Moran was on side with him, McManus, Ken Davy, Hull & HKR and London. Think he also said "and others" but not too sure on that.

I do think he and the other chairmen have been biding their time until the RFL shows what its views of RL & SL is. Their review is what they have been waiting for. It does sound like the foremost business men at the SL clubs will round on the RFL management and demand improvement and the changes to bring that about.
Last night IL did mention Mr & Mrs Hetherington for special critical mention and their influence. They of course do not have the business expertise of IL, Moran and McManus. Adam Pearson may well be a very useful ally and he's inherited the wreckage left at HullFC by the previous regime run by Mrs H.

Whether they want rid of Wood, Rimmer and Barwick I dont know but they are in for one hell of a meeting.
Good Luck to IL and his fellow chairmen on this.
The RFL are dreadful and matters need to change dramatically to bring about the improvements to the game which it desperately needs.

Anybody who is getting genuine info, please keep us in the loop... Sounds fascinating!!

Just watched the SuperLeage Show, right at the end of the highlights it shows Shaun Wane walking past Hetherington, I've never seen a bloke look so miserable, whether it's because of the result or what's going to happen over the next day or two I suppose only time will tell .

Just to clarify, it's Neil Wood at Salford and not Nigel Wood.

Seems Wednesdays EGM has been postponed until after World Cup, looks like the RFL will have to have a big rethink. Revolt seems to come to mind?

Quote from RFL website:-

The Extraordinary General Meeting of the Rugby League Council scheduled to be held on Wednesday October 9 has been postponed.

A majority of Super League clubs have indicated an interest in further consultation on the detail of the proposals in order to reach the best solution.

These discussions will continue to positively progress but all parties involved are unanimous in their belief that the key focus for Rugby League at this moment is staging a successful Rugby League World Cup 2013 and this should be the focus of the sport.

The RFL will be making no further comment at this time.