The proposals were accepted by a majority vote of British rugby league stakeholders in 2023 with implementation starting in the 2024 season.
[6] He cited that the inclusion of grading had "[condemned the] club to relegation before a ball has even been kicked" and as a result removed the "jeopardy and drama" from the sport.
Hughes was particularly agreved with the points the club gained for catchment, being "the lowest possible", despite being the only professional team in the South East.
[8] Following a statement where the IMG claimed that the chances of the Championship Grand Final winners being denied promotion were "very remote", doubts were shed over how the system would work, as initially it was understood that the remaining Super League places would be taken up by the highest ranked Grade B clubs, however this statement suggested that so long as the Championship winner and bottom placed Super League club were both Grade B promotion and relegation would occur as normal.
[27] The grades were the following:[28] None: Wakefield's promotion would have occurred under the old system having won the 2024 Championship Grand Final; as would London's relegation having finished last in Super League.
Telegraph & Argus wrote an article applauding the system in principle but claimed it would be financially unfeasible to make the improvements for any clubs outside the 2024 top 14.
He also stated that the current system inhibits lower league sides from gaining new fans as it "portrays to the wider public, that we are a club not at the required standard".
Leigh Leopards chairman Derek Beaumont, who were comfortably safe from relegation under both the traditional and IMG systems, threatened to bring legal proceedings to the league if Hull F.C.