What does the future hold though, which clubs are breaking even or making money, Ipswich and Poole ?
Even the high profile clubs like Glasgow and belle vue to my knowledge are losing money and with an ever dwindling attendances the future of the sport at this level must have a limited future.
In a "normal" season would any other club starting out be given this much time weeks before a season starting , I think not.
Only because of the lack of teams in the Premiership is so much leeway been given to Northampton.
Professional :
A sport becomes professional
when athletes are paid to compete, making it their primary career, or when it is governed by organizations that provide, sponsor, or televise elite-level competition