Super League's proposed expansion to 14 teams is facing an 11th-hour challenge from clubs worried about financial sustainability and a lack of detailed planning. Hull KR and Hull FC voted against the move in July, but other clubs have now expressed doubts and are calling for a delay until 2027.
Concerns centre on the Rugby Football League's failure to provide a detailed business plan. Multiple requests from clubs for financial analysis have gone unanswered, and no documents were shared at the formal shareholders' meeting where the vote took place. Minutes of that meeting have not been released.
One club source said: 'We're not against going to 14 per se, but it has to be done properly. The whole thing is being rushed and the process has not been robust enough.' Another source highlighted that Sky Sports does not want expansion and has already cut its annual rights fee from £40m to £21.5m since 2021.
The application process for new clubs closed last Friday, with a decision due on 16 October. The RFL defended the process, stating that clubs have considered expansion for over a year and voted overwhelmingly in favour in July.
