THE Betfred Championship has practically been split in two, over a hotly-debated TV deal that the Bulls have rejected.

Bradford are one of seven clubs, along with Batley, Dewsbury, Doncaster, Featherstone, Wakefield and Widnes, to turn down Premier Sports’ offer.

But conversely, Swinton, Halifax, York, Barrow, Sheffield and Toulouse are all in favour of saying yes to the proposals, with Whitehaven abstaining from the vote.

The deal the broadcaster put to clubs was for every Championship game this season to be streamed live.

Represented by chairman Nigel Wood, Bulls joined the other second-tier sides in Wakefield yesterday for discussions over the finer details of the deal.

Love Rugby League reported earlier in the week that the basic financial breakdown is a £50,000 rights fee in year one, which then increases to £75,000 and £100,000 in the following years.

Furthermore, Yorkshire Live says Premier Sports’ production costs for the year would be around the £350,000 mark, meaning that added to the £50,000 rights fee, they would stumping up £400,000 in 2024 to cover the Championship.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: This televised encounter between Bulls and York took place on a Monday last February, but there are no plans for any new broadcast deal to include fixtures on that night.This televised encounter between Bulls and York took place on a Monday last February, but there are no plans for any new broadcast deal to include fixtures on that night. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

According to journalist Matthew Shaw, any money made up to that threshold will go back to the broadcaster, but a profit split is in place beyond that figure, with Premier Sports receiving 80 per cent and Championship clubs receiving the other 20 per cent.

The seven clubs against the proposals seem particularly concerned that every one of their games being streamed will have an adverse effect on attendances.

Their feeling is that the money coming in from the TV deal would not recompense what they might lose from supporters deciding to watch the game at home, rather than at the ground itself.

According to Shaw, another issue was the length of contract, three years, that clubs were being asked to buy into.

He did reveal that that has now been amended to two years, with the option to extend to a third, meaning reduced commitment from the Championship clubs.

The season is of course now underway, and it remains to be seen whether a deal can be struck, though the Rugby Football League Board, rather than the clubs themselves, will have the final say.