Rugby league’s major shake-up – What are the new proposals from IMG?

Wednesday’s presentation to clubs has offered up several key questions.

Rugby league is set for a major shake-up under new proposals by global sports media giants IMG, with automatic promotion and relegation axed and clubs subjected to a grading system which will determine their status within the game.

Here, the PA news agency answers some of the key questions emerging from Wednesday’s presentation to clubs and the media in Manchester.

What exactly is IMG proposing?

IMG envisage a three-tier grading system based on a broad range of on and off-field criteria. Clubs earning category ‘A’ status will be immune from relegation, while those achieving category ‘B’ will be re-assessed annually. Category ‘B’ clubs take up the spare places in a 12-team top tier, but run the risk of being replaced by new category ‘A’ teams if they do not ascend to the higher standard.

What about promotion and relegation?

Hull FC v Toulouse Olympique – Betfred Super League – MKM Stadium — Toulouse were relegated from Super League in 2022 but the proposal is for promotion and relegation between the top two tiers to be scrapped (Richard Sellers/PA)

Will any new clubs be formed for the new competition?

London Broncos v Leeds Rhinos – Betfred Super League – Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club — London Broncos were previously in the Super League and the capital has been singled out as a key area of growth by IMG (Tess Derry/PA)

What other changes are in store?

Huddersfield Giants v Salford Red Devils – Betfred Super League – St James’ Park — ‘Magic Weekend’ could be scrapped as part of IMG’s proposals (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Are the proposals guaranteed to go ahead?

York City Knights v Wigan Warriors – Betfred Challenge Cup – Third Round – LNER Community Stadium — York City Knights have given their cautious backing to the proposals through the club’s owner Clint Goodchild (Richard Sellers/PA)

What happens if the plans are voted down?

It would be a gigantic embarrassment not only for IMG, in the first phase of their 12-year ‘strategic partnership’, but also for the RFL and Super League, who have invested so much time and effort in trying to establish a new structure for the domestic game. But the chances are that any conflicts of interest would be relatively minor, and capable of being altered in a way that brings a working majority of the clubs on board.