BBC Sport tempts RFL to consider Media City
Leeds-based Rugby Football League is in talks with Peel Media over basing its PR and communications teams at Media City UK when BBC Sport arrives in 2011.
RFL chief executive Nigel Wood told the Rugby League Express newspaper: "We are currently exploring the opportunity of taking a permanent office within the new Media City at Salford Quays for our PR and communications team. With the BBC set to move north in 2011 we are one of the few sporting governing bodies in a position to have a presence there…The BBC's move presents a superb opportunity for Rugby League. Having so many influential journalists living in the Rugby League heartland will ensure that they, too, are immersed in the weekly excitement that our competition brings."
The RFL administers the National Rugby League Team, Challenge Cup, National Leagues and Super League.
As reported this week on the unofficial Media City UK Blog, BBC Sports staff are the most enthusiastic about the move North: 58% saying yes. Radio 5Live was a close second with 56%, and BBC Learning, Marketing and Technology just 26%.
This would be a tremendous achievement for the code if this was to happen. I really believe that the media influence would change the RL horizon regarding the coverage it receives.
By Gan Eden