Should richer clubs gain advantage?

Huddersfield rugby league coach Tony Smith believes financial muscle should surpass on-field results in the race for promotion.

Should money predominate over league placings?

---

Smith's team are hotly fancied to regain their Super League status as NFP champions next month.

But Smith believes a club's financial strength, in addition to its playing fortunes, should count when it comes to determining places in the top flight.

Smith against promotion format

Opponents of the plan would no doubt point to the fact that once a team is relegated they could face an uphill struggle to attract audiences and thus revenue, leaving them stranded in the lower leagues.

Should a club's wealth increase its chances of promotion?

This debate is now closed

---

Utter rubbish! Whether a team should be promoted or relegated should be decided on the pitch

Andy, UK

What a ridiculous idea. The end of season promotion and relegation battles would be rendered pointless. I am sure that any sports fan would find such an idea abhorent. Can you imagine the outcry if there was a rule that permitted Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool et al guaranteed places in the Premiership!
Sean Kelly, Rossendale, England

Smith is talking from an Australian viewpoint, where the NRL is a fixed set of clubs, with lower leagues acting as feeder academies. It works there, but promotion and relegation are part of British sport and should remain so.
Daniel, UK

Utter rubbish! Whether a team should be promoted or relegated should be decided on the pitch. Money follows success and unless teams are allowed a chance in the top flight then they are never going to attract the attention to allow them to make a financial gain.

A team will never create enough revenue playing in Division One to allow them to match the likes of Wigan, Saints etc. That can only be achieved by playing in the Super League.
Andy, UK

If a team is good enough on the field to get to the NFP Grand Final and win, then they should be in the Super League. If the team is playing well then the fans will follow them, and thus increase revenue through the turnstiles. Not to mention money from the TV companies.

The ability to play and win rugby games should come first

Gary Williams, West Yorkshire

What if Wakefield are relegated this season? Do you think we would see them in Super Lague the following year? Based upon their financial situation - no. But if they do go down, and win next years NFP Grand Final, they should be in Super League nine.
Anthony Burns, UK

I'm originally from Huddersfield and I think Tony Smith is talking rubbish. It should be how you do over the season on the pitch not off it that decides whether or not you go up a Division. They have just gone all season unbeaten after all!
James Taylor, England

Smith is talking from an Australian point of view. Promotion and relegation have always been traditional in British sport and should remain so in Super League.
Wendall, Warrington, England

If money was the only issue then apart from one or two teams in the super league all the rest would be playing in the NFP. The ability to play and win rugby games should come first, not just having a great stadium and a wealthy owner who loves throwing money away.
Gary Williams, West Yorkshire