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“Part of that will be a model whereby you qualify for an expansion league in the Premiership, but based on criteria around financial sustainability, fanbase and stadium, not just performance on the field of play.
“It wouldn’t be your traditional one-up, one-down situation, but if you are not meeting certain standards on and off the field you would be eligible to be removed from the league.
“It is possible for this coming season, or it could be the season after that, but we wouldn’t put any limitations on it.”
The change would need the approval of the RFU Council, which represents the wider game and different stakeholders, meaning its introduction for the 2026-27 season is a more likely timeline.
Bath owner Bruce Craig has backed the idea of a franchise league, with clubs’ licences open to review.
The change could pave the way for a resurrected Worcester Warriors to return to the top flight, while Ealing, Coventry and Doncaster all applied to be assessed against the Premiership’s standards this season.
The Premiership consists of 10 teams, down from 13 at the start of the 2022-23 season, and is keen to expand.
Other competitions, such as cricket’s Hundred, have found a lucrative market for stakes in franchise teams free from the threat of relegation.
Sweeney said there was plenty of cause for optimism about the English top flight despite the financial pressures it is under and its teams falling behind other nations in European competition.
TNT Sport are reportedly close to finalising a five-year extension, external on improved terms to their current television rights agreement.
“We are seeing some great momentum in the Premiership at the moment,” he added.
“In terms of sponsorship, a potential broadcast deal about to be announced, growth in interest from 18-30s and the Premiership final is going to be sold out again with ticket sales ahead of where they were last year.
“So there are a lot of good things happening.”
BBC News
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