The Luddites Have Won

 

The Toronto Wolfpack came into UK's pro-competition (Super League) by working its way from a third division league. On reaching SL, entry was conditional on the club agreeing that they would taker no share in the TV money spread around the other eleven teams. Normally all twelve get a part of it but now a bigger cut for the other eleven. 

Unfortunately having made the top level, Covid struck and due to the financial strain the owner was under, the club had to pull out of the 2020 season. The owner had to walk and the club had to reapply to remain in SL for 2021. A new owner was prepared to pay off all debts but insisted on their share of the TV money in future. 

Knowing the mentality of the pro clubs in the Super League, I thought this will be a deal-breaker. It's only fair all teams are treated equally, except that the basic precept of justice escaped the SL bosses. The vote was taken and the majority decided Toronto was not to be allowed back into SL. 

The game day in Toronto was fantastic. The carnival atmosphere and the super supportive large crowds that came to enjoy a game they didn't know. It all came together in a way that exceeded my wildest dreams. It was a breath of fresh air for a stale RL competition. 

However, the pro clubs run the game and all they focus on is money, not the larger good of the game. Short term gain is everything and the Wolfpack was deemed as not offering enough financially to be worth the trouble. 

Two new North American clubs are about to enter the UK RL system, hoping to eventually gain access to SL. The door to the top is now closed for NA teams. Will they still want to be part of UK Rugby league? Could they be the basis for a NA league in the near future? I can't answer those questions but I can say is the spirit of Ned Ludd is alive and well among the eight SL clubs that voted to keep Toronto out of SL.

PS. Those that voted for Toronto were Leeds Rhinos, St Helens RLFC, Catalan Dragons and the RFL. They don't deserve to be tarred with the same brush as the others.