1 valve

Its absolutely applicable to your post where you said. "I just don’t understand why they insist 2 leagues when we are in the situation were in" So I have, at some length provided the answer.

Sky did - BT didn't. BT transferred the broadcasting rights as part of the new joint venture TNT rebranding . BT are currently finalising a deal to sell their remaining 50% of TNT to their current partner Warner Bros. Discovery and as WBD have yet to finalise a strategy of how to align their over the air (OTA) and streaming strategy their preferred action is not to renew contracts with none priority sports bodies. As you say...at the moment. However, when they or others do come to the table we should not expect them to be jumping up and down with excitement if anything other than that which provides some if not all GP riders AKA a top flight Premier League.

And if you were able to either of the Sheffield teams to Hallam for a challenge match featuring the top line ups from both sides you can be assured of two things - all joking aside. 1. The ground would be filled to capacity. 2. The Sheffield team would win at a canter However, not sure how new fans that would bring in at the following Hallam home game.

Firstly, Its not clear by who you mean as "they" insisting on two leagues- but I presume you mean the current Premiership promoters. Secondly, You say a five team league would be financial suicide. Well instead of painting the Premiership promoters as the bad guys (as you clearly do) why don't you at least acknowledge that losses incurred by the Premiership promoters are covered by each individual promotion/club with no impact on the financial results of the championship promoters. In reality, it most probably helps them as riders doubling up are able to get two sources of income lessening the demands on championship clubs. Thirdly. You say you "don't understand why "they" insist on 2 leagues". Well maybe that's because you just stubbornly refuse to take on board the reasons that have been stated over and over again on this forum. 1. Some promoters are of the belief that a league featuring the very best riders is the best way to promote the sport both at club and national level and they are prepared to foot the bill. This means that in the UK clubs at the "Elite" level have to abide by the globally agreed reserved race nights. Monday & Thursday. 2. If the top tier of speedway as we know it, was to be disbanded and the reserved race nights "ignored" in favor of one league, there would be a significant number of current day riders not available to race in the UK due to their contractual obligations with clubs in other countries. There would also be a removal of riders being available to race for more than one club due to the removal of the Doubling up facility. This would mean sufficient riders (say) of todays championship level to make eight teams possible - No more. 3. An alternative to having one eight team league of championship quality is to greatly reduce the team building points limit so that all existing NDL level of riders could be included which could just about mean twelve teams being created for the one big league. 4. A further alternative is to divide the one big league "talent" of point 3 into two leagues with one comprising (say) six or seven teams operating full time/professional riders and the remainder of six/seven teams running on a semi pro/amateur basis. Point 1. Requires the very best of riders to be available - and promoters willing to "give it a go" with a plan to attract TV/sponsorship at a national level to help with their costs. Point 2. Requires the loss of five or six clubs to professional racing - maybe to run NDL level on an expanded basis. Point 3. Requires a substantial reduction in team building numbers with an ensuing drop in quality of on track racing. Point4. Means a restriction in top tier teams with the quality/ability of riders competing being significantly lower than point 1. reducing the appeal of a national TV deal and significant sponsors.

Utter madness and the perfect example of how the majority of promoters in the UK have only their own self interests at the forefront of their ambition. Of course the majority are championship promoters who have clearly been willing to take the benefit of taking riders from Premiership teams who have underwritten their losses so that UK speedway can see some of the worlds best riders race in this country. If in 2026 there is going to be a watered down version of two tier league speedway or even worse one league incorporating riders who can barely get out of the gate and turn the bike - then lets be clear, this isn't the fault of the riders but a reflection of the promoters capabilities to promote the sport....and still with two teams (Neither who race at weekends) being at the top and by comparison the others floundering in their wake.

Two leagues made up of riders available following the demise of the Premier League and loss of the very best riders seems the most sensible, especially since only one of the leagues will need to support full time riders. Don't forget, this situation has been brought about because the majority of the BSPL promoters of whom the majority are Championship club owners didnt want the existing league set-up to continue (exit Mr. Louis) Also, given the BSPL/ACU/FIM structure, such a move will not be acceptable to a good number of those remaining riders given that Nora meetings would be the only ones they could ride in anywhere in the world speedway/long track nor grass-track including GP2/world under 21 and other junior championship. All those folk who wanted one league may not be getting their wish, but they are getting the best solution to providing speedway with the less number of riders available - We should always be careful on what we wish for!

To be clear Rob Godfrey was only quoted on saying there will be two leagues next year. I added thesplit and the concept of pro and semi pro leagues simply because with 7 man teams there would still be the need for double ups. Clearly the point limit for tier one will need to be reduced from this years Premiership and thus the knock on to tier two. As for Chris Louis, I suspect he wanted to continue with a format that could include the opportunity of top riders as he has seen the success both on the track and financially what this can bring to a well promoted club. it would not be hard to imagine that Chris's views were not shared by the majority of the other promoters and so in some way he was backed into a corner - although clearly believes that what will be announce would not meet his expectations. Chris (and maybe Ritchie too ) wanted a league with GP quality riders, and just didn't see that UK speedway giving up on the opportunity for all fans to see the likes of Jason Doyle, Max Fricke, Dan Bewley, Brady Kurz and suchlike was the way forward - and so he bailed out at the top.

In Chris Louis announcement he said he had informed all promoters of his decision. In the case of the BSPL board it would be a fair presumption they were amongst the first to know & most probably at least a week ago. In this weeks Star the BSPL chairman stated he he was confident all significant plans for 2026 would be agreed and in place by the end of November. He has also stated there will be two leagues. For this to come to fruition and a balanced approach to team building be adopted the we would be looking at a “top flight” of seven teams and a second tier of Six teams - With a strong possibility that at least one club who raced this year will not come to the tapes in 2026. The top flight will be fully professional with the second tier comprising lower average riders from tier one joined by semi/pro NDL types.

Your post made some good points and was making sense until the bit about a 14 team league which would be just impossible to have.

In Leicester’s case they could elect to run on (say) Thursday meaning for home matches from this years team Douglas, Becker, Howarth could be retained for starters with the addition of Dan Thompson and maybe even the promoters son will come into the equation. Admittedly, a few guests and R/R will be required for away meetings but very strong home performances will keep the fans happy.

Which two?

There’s been a fair few rumours in other threads re the Lions and last years riders but as far as I can see nothing coming out of the club’s ownership which at least avoids fuelling those rumours. Given that now both Sheffield & Ipswich are for sale with Chris Louis stepping away from the league organisation what does this mean for the future of the Lions?

BT 50% owner of TNT looking for a buyer of their half of the business and believe it or not Warner Bros. Discovery are in advanced talks to acquire

And if there were to be one big league next year, the best we could hope for would be around 70 available riders (at best) r along with a wide spread of ability and competitiveness from good to absolute no chancers.

Well you are most probably correct in assuming half of those listed would leave. And if five man teams become the way forward involving a large inclusion of NDL level then it would be fair to presume half of the current UK attendees would also disappear.

You are a bit behind with your comments and maths. To help you catch up First you need to understand the number of available riders is not simply 13x7 because in one big league, A. There cannot be riders doubling up so these count as one. I.e Leicester this year had 4 out of seven who also rode in the Championship. B. Unless all teams agree to ride on Monday & Thursday riders who race in Poland & Scandinavia will also not be available. I.e In Leicester’s case this would remove three riders. Having done that, the number of C. Individual riders who are at the very least capable of riding competitively in a league somewhat similar to that of the current championship will be sufficient to create 8 teams (not 13) or if riders from the NDL are included then maybe 9 teams. But these lads will not be competitive and maybe even be an on track danger to themselves & others. Finally on the matter of the BSPL making final decisions they are working towards the end of November to do so. The AGM on Jan 6th will be as per normal function of company procedure.

Yes he is- but wouldn’t have made the Prem if not for the injuries of two previous rising stars & highly doubtful he would find a place in 2026 should things remain similar to this year.

Any chance of a summary of what it was?

This year it would have been Joe Thompson. Having been released by the Lions he was re signed due to two rising stars being injured during the season. However, being complacent cannot be laid at Joe’s door. He tried everything possible and gave 100% but being perfectly competent to race at Prem level? Given he came last in every one of his last twelve races for the lions answers that question doesn’t it?

Is this the suggestion made by Peter Oaks? Or is it something else

You say Teams racing at home Mondays and Thursdays mean they could have a GP Rider. Ok that’s a true statement. It also means they would be available to race at other Mon/Thurs tracks currently five. Then you add “a current championship team would do anything possible to arrange fixtures to get the GP star there”. However, For the large part those days could only be Mon or Thurs as the star would not be available or willing to undergo a late and chancy travel schedule. Remember riders who race in Poland are required to be there the day before a meeting not just race day. It is highly unlikely that a guest would be available to equal the level of the GP rider (they will have their own fixtures) and let’s not forget this year as an example Leicester would have needed three guests - just not workable. However when all said and done, one league, seven man squads equal eight teams. Nothing more but maybe something less.

Uh? you responded to a post from TTT which had stated “It's Riders like Chris Harris, Richard Lawson, Danny King etc. who keep British Speedway alive” With “I would argue its riders like this that have been one of the downfalls of the sport”

Uh? you responded to a post from TTT which had stated “It's Riders like Chris Harris, Richard Lawson, Danny King etc. who keep British Speedway alive” With “I would argue its riders like this that have been one of the downfalls of the sport”

“Chris Harris been holding speedway back for years”…….I think I’ve heard it all now. Definitely number one in my chart of stupid is stupid does statements

So what you are proposing is that teams who can’t have home race nights other than Monday or Thursday use guest for away meetings. So just using this year for each weekend meeting. Gusts required would be. Leicester 3 BV 4. Ipswich 3 Sheffield 3. Kings Lynn 2 Now I maybe out by one two but even if the fixtures could be arranged so that only two teams raced Friday, Sat or Sunday, at best seven guests would need to be available. Considering they would be heat leaders there’s absolutely no chance they could be found never mind the (even more) ridicule heaped on the sport with so many riders guesting for other teams. I appreciate you say clubs who ride at home Mon & Thurs “Will have to do their best” for away meetings , but that is a cop out for trying to promote a structure that would just not be deliverable.