Hetherington wants TV cash for small clubs

SHEFFIELD Eagles would be in line for a cash bonus - if former boss Gary Hetherington has his way.

Hetherington, who brought professional rugby league to Sheffield and is now chief executive at Leeds Rhinos, wants National League clubs to get a share in any new TV deal.

Negotiations are due to start soon on the contract to televise rugby league from 2009.

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In the past, the 12 Super League clubs have scooped the cash - around 800,000 per club club per year.

But Hetherington wants some of the money to be used to boost the largely semi-professional National League clubs like Eagles.

It is expected that the Super League will expand to 14 clubs in 2009 with the clubs seeking 1 million a year in TV money.

But Hetherington has his doubts that there is talent enough for 14 top-flight clubs.

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He added: "If, let's say the total payments from a broadcaster were 14 million per year, my feeling is that we should go with 12 clubs and give them 1 million per year each and use the other 2 million per year to really develop the National Leagues."