With Super League expanding to 14 teams next year, details have emerged on how much central funding the expansion teams will receive.
Last Monday’s news that Super League would expand to 14 teams left more questions than answers in the immediacy but those answers are slowly being revealed.
Confirmed at the time, 12 of the 14 teams will be determined by the IMG grades whilst teams 13 and 14 will be selected after an application process with the panel ruling on that chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine.
A number of factors have dictated the shift to 14 teams with the removal of loop fixtures the most prominent as it offers a fairer competition. Other factors at play involve a concern from current owners that Toulouse being promoted via IMG would leave one-sixth of the central funding heading to French clubs, who they view as contributing less into the pot in respect of away fans and the fact certain sponsors cannot be shown in France.
Moving to 14 counters that and it also promotes growth and expansion whilst widening the footprint of the game. Whatever the reasons, the questions of how expansion would be funded remained.
None of the existing teams were prepared to take a reduction so tasked the Strategic Review Panel with finding a way to expand whilst keeping existing team’s central funding the same.
How much could expansion Super League teams expect in central funding?
Whilst some money will be moved around and funds found, the ultimate answer is that the expansion teams will not receive the full central funding.
That figure is not public, however, Leeds Rhinos’ financial accounts for 2024 confirmed that they received £1,241,000, a reduction of almost £350,000 from 2023 meaning it is understandable that existing clubs don’t wish to sacrifice anymore of their money. It’s understood clubs currently receive around £1.3 million.
Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has appeared on the Super League Raw podcast to explain how funding will work, admitting that it likely will be reduced but that it will be a larger percentage than what his Leigh side had to play with in 2021, when they entered Super League in place of Toronto. Leigh received £1,000,000 compared to every other club’s £1,550,000, around 66%.
He also noted that there could be more Sky money coming if the broadcasters opt to take on the seventh game that each round will bring, as he explained: “We have now got a different proposition next year so the dial might change in terms of what revenue we generate.
“If it does and other things become better then the ideal solution is parity, that’s the first point of call and then secondly, would be to increase funding to all.”
However, should that not happen, then he confirmed that a figure is being worked on and it’s one that will not impact what clubs currently receive.
“That figure is being finely tuned and we knew in the meeting it was between A and B. I won’t say what that is but it’s above 66%, which is what I got. It’s north of that.”
Based on a central funding figure of around £1.3 million, then ‘north’ of 66% means expansion clubs would receive more than £858,000 but it’s still unclear how much more. Alternatively, ‘north’ of the £1,000,000 that Beaumont got at Leigh would mean a significant chunk more money and put expansion teams closer to parity with the 12 initial teams.
Derek Beaumont predicts IMG ranking changes
One thing that is clear is that those clubs would need a benefactor or some form of funding to effectively top up their funding and Beaumont explained that is why it’s impossible to simply confirm club’s 13 and 14 on the IMG grades as the expansion teams.
He explained: “You can’t just say teams 13 and 14 (on IMG) go in because it needs some investment on top of that (central funding) to have a sustainable club.
“We can’t face another Toronto situation or even the situation that we’ve got with Salford. It is being determined and it will go out with the application (information) along with all the other terms and conditions.”
As for his own personal opinion, Beaumont listed a number of teams who could be well positioned to apply but more important was the criteria that he believed was important. Having gone through a comparable application process and winning that bid, few are better placed to judge.
“I think the most important parts of the bid for me are; financial stability and evidence that you can invest in your team along with the money you get,” the Leigh owner explained, adding more factors.
Those were: “Sustainability, to be able to be competitive (in terms of) what your squad is and what it can be, as well as what you bring to Super League in terms of fans.”
Another thing he did note was that he expects a change in which 12 teams top the IMG table, stating: “I don’t think the 12 teams in Super League will be the 12 teams when IMG announce them either. I think that there is going to be a difference in that make up. It could be two teams, it could be one, and I could be wrong.”
As for Leigh Leopards, he confirmed the club could expect to earn a Grade A once again, promising Leigh fans that they ‘don’t need to worry’.
You can listen to the full podcast from Super League Raw here.
Wiganexpat
August 6, 2025 at 3:27 am
All for the expansion however this seems the wrong way around. Surely we should be driving the funding with Sky or who ever first on the basis of what we are planning to do. That way clubs know what to expect and Superleague would know where the money is coming from. If Sky won’t come to the party for the additional games then lets look at whoever else might want the content. Consider the NRL approach and be willing to split up games and comps for the good of all. If you are not already doing so, talk to PVL and work with the NRL and try and secure some sort of global streaming deal. Lets come at this meaning business.