Sky is the limit, but not when it comes to salary cap

Firstly, I think people under-estimated just how much money was generated from other commercial partners over the last two years.

But it is important and it sends a really, really strong signal about the competition and the ability to attract commercial support.

It’s a great company and a great announcement.

That has now been followed up with the news of a new “transformational” five-year deal with Sky Sports starting in 2017 so it has been a productive couple of weeks?

It’s a deal we’ve been working on, of late, for quite some considerable time in our objective to develop the commercial potential of the game.

It certainly helps us do that. It will take us to 30 years with Sky and we, clearly, have a very strong relationship with them.

We are certainly one of their headline sports and we’re delighted to be in that position.

It also sees a return of Championship rugby to their screens from next year which is important in light of the new restructure that incorporates both competitions in 2015?

Sky’s commitment to the sport is pretty much total.

They understand the importance of the game throughout – in Super League and the Championships – so we’re delighted to see that happen in what will be an exciting time for the sport.

We’ve seen in negotiations they are genuinely excited themselves by what the new structure (two divisions of 12 splitting into three divisions of eight after 23 rounds) will bring and that’s highlighted by this deal.

The RFL has come in for criticism from some Super League chairmen about its commercial performance. Do you feel you are now answering those critics?

Basically, the centre (RFL) always feels pressure to continue to develop the commercial performance of the league – over which it has authority – and this is certainly a big tick in that box.

The First Utility deal was a strong deal and this, now, is another.

It is a pretty healthy sum and we’ll continue working to bring more money into the sport.

With the squabbling over the Super League restructure also problematic, how tough have the last few months been?

In the end, the Super League and Championship clubs, for that matter, are run by people who are all very passionate and all have their opinions on the game.

There was some fairly substantial discussions but you would expect that.

The season kicks off on Friday but Wigan Warriors are quickly on their way to Australia for the World Club Challenge – the first time a British side has competed there in 20 years. Another great chance to sell Super League...?

Full marks to Wigan for throwing down the gauntlet and I’ve no doubt they will acquit themselves well against Sydney Roosters.

It’s an indication of their ambition and aspirations, plus the feel-good factor generated in our game, that this is now actually happening.

We have got some clubs, certainly at the top end of the competition, who are ambitious not only domestically but wanting to do well worldwide too.

Good luck to them and hopefully they’ll prove successful in Sydney.

Will it lead to an expanded World Club Challenge?

It all depends on how this game goes at the end of February but I do believe Wigan will do well down there.

They’ll be competitive on the field but also demonstrate there is an appetite from big clubs this side of the world for going over there to play in the World Club Challenge.

I’d see this as a stepping stone for an expanded tournament.

With the NRL’s riches and rugby union’s Premiership here increasing its salary cap to £5m, is it time Super League raised its limit too?

Of course there are several chairmen with strong opinions on how the game should be run all sat around the clubs’ table.

And there are many different dynamics involved when it comes to the salary cap.

On one hand, it’s quite easy to stand and say spend what you want and take it back to a free market.

But, on the other, there is an argument to even reduce it to make sure clubs are sustainable. A balance has to be struck.

I can see their point of view and they have a desire to retain and attract the top talent.

It’s one of the (RFL) Executive’s tasks to work towards that; on the back of the Policy Review, the governing body has been challenged on developing greater commercial potential within the sport.

There has been some suggested incrementals sustainable for the salary cap provided the governing body can achieve those targets.

I’d say there may well be some tweaking on the cap. Hopefully it will prove palatable.

On the back of such a successful World Cup, what are you expecting from this Super League season when it starts on Friday?

I’m expecting it to be a really exciting one.

I think the drop down from 14 clubs to 12 at the end of this year was needed.

We will now have clubs wanting to position themselves for what’s to come in 2015.

On top of that we have a new sponsor and, building on the momentum of the World Cup, I think we are on the brink of a very exciting campaign with the added edge of some relegation at the end of it all.

It should all mean ‘more minutes matter’ and that’s what we are aiming for.

Hopefully, even though we won’t actually be in the new structure until 2015, 
this year will see the benefits of it too.

As someone who has historically backed expansion, how do you feel about there potentially being no London presence in Super League in 2015?

Potentially London could get relegated this year. But, no matter what division they play in in 2015, they’ve found somewhere now (Barnet) that really offers them an exciting base.

That’s something I don’t think they’ve ever had in the last two decades. It’s fantastic they can finally put some roots down and have plans which should form firm foundations for London rugby league no matter what.

I really believe they will be a successful club going forward.