Leeds Aren't Wanted By Premiership Fat Cats
By apb on 6/10/2003
October 6 2003
Just when we all thought things were settling down. Just when we were all looking forward to the premiership rugby at home, and international rugby on the telly down under. Just when the whole rugby world can join together and show everybody what a wonderful sport we have. This happens.
Premier Rugby Limited, the umbrella body created to represent all 12 premiership clubs issues a pres statement on Thursday (just as all the UK based journalists head out to Australia for the Rugby World Cup), announcing that both Leeds and Rotherham had "asked for financial help". And in their benevolence, Premier Rugby, for the good of the sport, have decided to give it to them.
This has made the Leeds Rugby management very angry indeed, and justly so. Its been know for some time about the disparity between Leeds (and now Rotherham) and the other premiership clubs. So why the fuss now?
To get to why, we need to go into the history of it all.
January 2001
Premier Rugby meets for the first time and agrees a shareholding system that gives each premiership club (including Rotherham) 1/12th of the shareholding. Equal. Straight down the middle.
May 2001
Rotherham are relegated from the premiership, and Leeds are promoted. Leeds (presumably) are now in the premiership club, and duly build their new squad based on the funding they have every right to expect.
July 2001
Premier Rugby issues a statement indicating that Leeds becomes a member of the Premier Rugby shareholding, and Leeds duly build their squad based on these facts.
August 2001
Two weeks to go to the start of the season, and Leeds are informed that they won't be getting an equal share. The other 11 clubs have agreed, amongst themselves, that the promoted club should receive only 45/80th of their share.
Leeds complain.
Premier rugby stand firm.
Leeds continue to complain.
Premier rugby compromise, with a deal that means Leeds would still only get 45/80ths of the full entitlement, but the rest is made up of a grant, over a period of two years.
Leeds are still not happy, and complain again, believing they are entitled to a full and equal part of the distribution as was agreed in January 2001.
Premier rugby send an ultimatum: "either take the offer, or don't be promoted; Worcester are waiting in the wings you know...." comes the not-very-veiled threat.
Reluctantly, Leeds accept, on the understanding that it is all up for grabs again after two years.
January/February 2003
The negotiations start again, since the two year period is nearing its end. Premier rugby offer the standard entitlement (55/80th of a share - now that Leeds have been in the premiership for a year), plus a loan to make up the shortfall. On which interest is paid. For two years. "After the next two years, you're on your own mate". Leeds management are not happy bunnies. Not at all.Negotiations continue.
October 2003
A press announcement from Premier Rugby, stating that Leeds have "asked for funding", and they have agreed to give them parity for the next two years. How benevolent of them! Trouble is, this is the self same deal that has already been rejected! Knowing full well that the rugby journos are all off to Oz, Premier Rugby have announced this now in an attempt to bury it under the weight of RWC copy coming back to Britain. Any attempt by Leeds to refute it, looks like Leeds bringing the game into disrepute! No wonder the Leeds rugby board are absolutely furious!
The unfairness of the original settlement between the 11 premiership clubs is well known; it takes 8 years for a promoted club, assuming it can stay up all that time, to gain parity with the rest. What premier rugby have offered Leeds is a two-year, fixed term loan to cover some of the shortfall. But anyone can get a loan! (In fact, I'm sure the Leeds & Holbeck could even do them a better deal!)
Once again, the fat-cat owners that run premier rugby think they can push everyone else around. And it is they who are bringing the game into disrepute. This should not be allowed to be buried under the RWC coverage. Any Leeds fan, and rugby fan, hell, any fan who values the true spirit of SPORTSMANSHIP, should be extremely angry at this development. Premier Rugby is a shabby stich-up, and the sooner they are put firmly back in their place, the better.
So, if you believe in the true values of sport, where the game is won and lost on the field of play - without being skewed and horribly perverted by the money men, and the shabby and cynical way in which they are attempting to cover it up - please respond to this article on our message board, and register your dissatisfaction at the way in which the sport of Rugby Union is being devalued.