Contract provides for between 12 and 14 clubs, I believe.

Sky stipulate a minimum of 12 clubs and have a fixed number of games they want to televise in a season. 13 clubs would not undermine the contract.

Why does the RFL have to ok a deal anyway?



If a new bidder doesn't mention the words "conditional, licence or Odsal lease" then the RFL don't have any legal input into a procedure between the appointed administrators and a bidder- do they?

Yes I agree, that is very likely to be the case, but it would still be money lost to the game and money that they didn't (legally) need to spend.



If no-one comes in I'm sure the club would be revived in some form, but the company, which is what they are bidding for, would be dead and worthless, given that SLE clearly don't want to run it. This is why I think they knew that something was in the offing, otherwise they would have let the business be wound up and let the creditors take the hit. Otherwise it's either altruism of a high order or just that they wanted to preserve the good name of rugby league - though I suspect the good name in that sense died some time ago as a number of clubs have gone down the CVA/admin/winding up route over the years.

thought Rupert was a bit busy lately to worry who get's the money once it is given to the RFL.......LOL!!!!!!!

I'd guess that the administrator could sell the company to whoever he felt made the best offer to the creditors - in fact I also guess that is possibly his legal duty. If it were sold to an owner who would be unlikely to satisfy the RFL it would make running the business a bit risky as an investment though. I suppose Guilfoyle could just say it was a case of caveat emptor and just take the money, leaving the purchaser to stew.



Unless anyone knows different?

Might be a while if they're waiting for scoffer to polish off his snap.

The RFL decide who gets the SL Licence and what clubs can play in the competition. And receive Sky monies. That makes them the key player, because without their approval it is unlikely anyone would feel able to buy the club. And their due diligence legal advisor would scream at them not to.

so that rules out Iranian money laundering then.......

Although only in USA

None of us know the identity, but lets get the administrator out of the way.



RFL / SLE know who the bid is and will decide on that, dont forget they get a casting vote of the future of Bulls and wont want their noses pushed out after last weeks bid.



Therefore I propose a former sponsor of Super League who didn't extend their contract beyond the first year.



Cash rich, still want RL involvement etc, not sure if that impacts on Widnes though.



I am by all probababilty wrong but you never know