Super League’s £21.5m question: Can it afford expansion? Clubs say no

The Super League is facing a £21.5 million question: can it afford to expand? As the Rugby Football League (RFL) pushes a plan to grow to 14 teams, a growing number of clubs are giving a resounding answer: no. They are challenging the move, citing the league’s static TV income as proof that expansion is financially unsustainable.
The entire conflict revolves around the annual £21.5m rights fee from broadcaster Sky Sports. This figure, already a significant drop from a previous £40m deal, is not set to increase. In fact, with Sky reportedly opposed to the expansion, clubs fear the next deal could be even lower. They argue that splitting the same pot of money between more clubs is a mathematical certainty for financial decline.
This has led to a major challenge against the RFL, which has so far failed to provide a business plan explaining how this economic reality can be overcome. Clubs are demanding to see a detailed financial analysis, but claim their requests have been met with silence. This has prompted a call to halt the process until at least 2027.
The precarious financial state of the league makes the RFL’s push for expansion even more baffling to its critics. With most clubs losing money and Salford Red Devils in financial difficulty, the idea of adding more mouths to feed without bringing more food to the table is seen as irresponsible. There are genuine fears that this could force some clubs to become part-time.
Despite the clear financial obstacles, the RFL insists that the expansion was approved by a large majority of clubs in July. However, that support appears to be evaporating as the stark financial implications become clearer. The £21.5m question now hangs over the sport, with the answer likely to determine its professional future.