SHOULD THE SKY FALL IN?
TALKING RUGBY LEAGUE
WithMARTYN SADLEREditor
LEIGH Leopards owner Derek Beaumont came out with some strong stuff last week, suggesting that Super League is not getting a good deal under the terms of its current contract with Sky Sports and that we should look elsewhere for the next contract that commences in 2027.
As an obviously interested observer, I get a strangely nervous feeling whenever anyone suggests that Super League should reject Sky and find outlets elsewhere.
Derek suggests that if the game weren’t on Sky, the RFL could sell thousands of subscriptions to its streaming service and that the income from that source would be retained in its totality by the game.
He would, however, allow the BBC to broadcast some games to encourage new streaming subscribers.
I have strong doubts about that strategy.
Currently Super League matches are shown live both on Sky and on the BBC.
Some other sports would kill for that exposure.