If it's pronounced it tends to lock in success (and by extension failure) in a self-reinforcing cycle.



It's no coincidence, for example, that the EPL developed a big 4 (Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal for some years, Man City taking Liverpool's place now I guess) and also had 4 richly rewarded spots in the Euro Big Cup.

The Premier League [uas a sporting competition[/u is cack for about four-fifths of its participants.



Now SL has also had a big 4, I admit, even without the distorting effect of something like the Big Cup. But all the more reason, IMO.



The reward for performance on the pitch is wins and ideally trophies. A bit of prize money for the players aside, any financial benefits should come from increased fan interest.

Which funds were removed?

I'm sure I saw something about them removing the parachute payment to relegated clubs. But I could be wrong

That was the only thing I could think of. And it was removed after lobbying by the Championship clubs themselves...

Monies used to be shared out on a sliding scale based on position from top of top league to bottom of bottom league. Now SL clubs get over a million each champ clubs 90k each. Er why is there a big gap doh. Next year champ monies are reduced again. And they say they care about the championships.

The SKY money was never, ever, shared on any kind of sliding scale and the Championship clubs never got any of it anyway. Are you saying that the RFL give each SL club £1m of [itheir own money[/i every year?

Before SKy. Never said sky money was. Before lindsay sold or soul and took our game away from the masses.

For better or worse, we've moved our elite competition to Sky Sports. To say that we have took it away from the masses, however, is a little hysterical. People with more than a passing interest in sport nowadays will have a subscription to Sky Sports. If they still choose not to watch RL, then that's down to their indifference, not the act of "selling our soul".



And before people start crying poverty, and saying they can't afford to watch the rugby anymore; if you really can't afford the fifty quid or so a month to watch what you claim is a sport you are passionate about, then watching rugby is probably the least of your problems.

or go the pub

Sounds like a plan. Mine's a pint!

You are wrong.

AFAIK the Championship clubs only received SKY money during one of the seasons when SKY broadcast their games. This was not a share of the SL cash.