If there was the appetite for an IPL style 7s series where the best players could be signed to play in non-internationally aligned teams for a tournament, how long would it need to prepare and then how long would the tournament need to be?
With a month of lead time could you say play 3 tournaments over 4 weekends (effectively making it take two months a year) and it be lucrative and interesting enough?
Women currently only have 7 tournaments a year, Men have 11. There’s ample time in the calendar.
The issue is underutilisation of the 7s brand, that’s impacting on individual earnings and endorsements especially for the women. Won’t be long before NRLW and AFLW are earning more then the Womens 7s players, once that happens retention and recruitment will be difficult.
I’m all for a IPL 7s tournament if it means the best females players are playing, and earning an extra $$. Would it be lucrative enough, well that’s the crux of the issue.