Rugby league poised to enter new era as IMG plans given green light by clubs

The proposals received an overwhelming 88 per cent majority at a meeting in Huddersfield on Wednesday, with 34 votes in favour – using a weighting system to ensure an equal say for Super League clubs – six against and three abstentions.

All 11 Super League clubs voted in favour, while eight of the 13 Championship sides backed the move with one abstention. Neither Catalans Dragons nor Toulouse Olympique were entitled to vote.

Keighley Cougars, Batley Bulldogs, Barrow Raiders, Featherstone Rovers, Dewsbury Rams and Hunslet were the clubs to vote against the proposals.

Simon Johnson, the chair of the Rugby Football League and a board member of Rugby League Commercial, said: “This has been a highly significant day for the sport and I am proud of the vote of the Council today.

“Our clubs were unanimous in supporting the 12-year strategic partnership with IMG when it was proposed in 2022, and have now given strong support for the club grading recommendation which is crucial in allowing the sport to grow and fulfil its potential – on the domestic and international stage.”

IMG – the global sports management giant tasked with 'reimagining' the sport – last month unveiled its 20-point plan that will underpin the new grading system, which will come into effect from the end of 2024.

Clubs will be scored across five areas: fandom (25 per cent), performance (25 per cent), finance (22.5 per cent), stadium (15 per cent) and community (12.5 per cent).

Category A clubs will be guaranteed a place in Super League, with any remaining spots taken by the highest-ranked Category B clubs.

Minimum standards will be in place alongside the grading criteria, including the requirement for Category A clubs to run academy and women’s teams.

Clubs will discover their illustrative grades for the 2024 campaign later this year.

Matt Dwyer, vice president of Sport Management, IMG Media, said: “We greatly appreciate all the clubs’ input and support during this process. While there is naturally no one set of recommendations that will suit everyone, we strongly believe that club grading, as part of the wider reimagining rugby league strategy, is essential to ensure sustainable growth of the game as a whole, and are pleased to see that such a strong majority of clubs agree.

“This is a positive milestone for the future of the sport and we are excited to continue driving progression in other areas over the coming months, including through our work with Seven League on digital transformation and 160over90 on branding.”