London Broncos owner David Hughes has released a statement in reaction to the IMG grading the club received.
The club have all but been relegated in 2024 after they ranked 24th with the lowest Grade B score of every club with only the Grade C beneath them.
Hughes has slammed the IMG system with the following statement: “Having received our indicative grading from IMG in November, I have taken some time before publicly expressing my thoughts and ultimately concerns with the grading criteria.
“Following the wonderful success of 2023 where we achieved a return to the Super League the resulting IMG announcement where we ranked 24th came as a surprise for a number of reasons of which I will go into.
“Our promotion last year was a magnificent achievement and it should have put us back in a position to push the club forward and to grow the sport in the country’s capital. However, instead of planning for the future where we can once again establish ourselves in Super League, we find ourselves being graded on the last 3 years – which have arguably been the toughest in the club’s history. London Broncos have been in Super League for 21 out of the 28 years of its existence.
“London Broncos were relegated from Super League in 2019 the same year in which the COVID pandemic struck the globe. Relegation and the pandemic forced the club to become part-time, a very difficult but necessary financial decision. During this period clubs have since fallen into financial troubles, with some going into administration and others disappearing altogether. At no point have we suffered such issues yet some of those clubs receive a higher score for finances than ourselves.”
Promotion and relegation in Super League
Rugby League – Betfred Championship Grand Final – Toulouse Olympique v London Broncos – Stade Ernest-Wallon, Toulouse, France – London s Alex Walker with the Championship Trophy
Hughes also slammed the ending of promotion and relegation with the club’s chance for progress has been undermined by the fact they are almost certain to be relegated: “Promotion and relegation should be a staple of all sports. We are proud of this tradition whereas in other countries promotion and relegation is not always the case. It’s what brings the excitement to sport! Condemning a club to relegation before a ball has even been kicked takes away the jeopardy and drama that makes the millions tune in week on week, year after year. If London Broncos finish the 2024 season in 11th place or higher there has to be a scenario in place in which we stay in the division.
“We all share the same goal of improving rugby league and we are aware that in scenarios like this it is impossible to universally please everyone. London Broncos want to work with IMG to improve as a club and we continue to have the long term aim of achieving a Grade A status – but we also urge IMG to consider the points being put to them by the many clubs who have raised similar concerns. This is not to act as a moan but simply to once again open up the conversation about the criteria being put forward by IMG as how to grow but protect the sport in which we all love.”
