A complete breakdown in governance, characterised by a lack of papers, minutes, and trust, is at the heart of the explosive row over Super League’s expansion. Clubs are challenging the legitimacy of the vote to move to 14 teams, arguing that the decision was made in an information vacuum created by the Rugby Football League (RFL).
The most damning allegation is that the formal shareholders’ meeting where the expansion was approved took place without any supporting documents being provided to the clubs. This meant owners were asked to vote on one of the most significant changes in the league’s history without a written business plan or financial analysis in front of them.
To make matters worse, the official minutes of that crucial July meeting have reportedly not been shared with the clubs. This failure to adhere to basic corporate governance has fuelled suspicion and created a deep sense of mistrust, leaving clubs to question the entire process and the motives behind it.
This governance crisis is the foundation for the current rebellion. Clubs are now demanding a pause, arguing that they cannot stand by a decision that was not made with the proper level of transparency and diligence. The financial risks, particularly the opposition from broadcaster Sky Sports, have made them unwilling to simply trust the RFL’s judgment.
The RFL’s defence, which points to a presentation given at an informal meeting and an “overwhelming” vote, is failing to quell the dissent. The lack of a paper trail has made the decision feel illegitimate to many. The expansion row has now become a major test of the RFL’s credibility, as it must answer for the serious governance failings that have brought the league to this point of crisis.