They are not bogus figures look it up yourself and do some research.
I used the WNBA as an example because it has "long term"(from the 90's onwards) stats with a huge subsidized funding model and a massive population to draw upon and participation rates.
It is not the right time to subsidize a national league, i have no issue in the NRL funding female junior participation and if player numbers grow let the women elevate themselves to start a semi professional national league.
The women have to prove they are interested in a more naturally gravitate to sport and competition way, not some subsidized model that generates fake interest with no-one really respecting the league.
I'm sure there are "short term" gains in stats showing increases in interest in "womens team sports" but most are and will struggle, especially the more rough sports.
Thanks
@Technical Coach for demonstrating that your "research" on NRLW is superficial at best, and severely compromised at worst. Please find below some of the "takeouts" from Gemba’s Specialist Data & Analytics Division across all elements of data and digital strategy and execution for the NRL and NRLW.
INVESTING IN NRLW DATA ANALYSIS
Increasing the number of Rugby League participants will likely generate new NRL and NRLW fans Increasing the number of participants will also assist with creating the elite talent required in the future to support NRL and NRLW leagues
Growth in participation could be driven via targeting female participation, with other sports experiencing significant increases in female participation after investing in women’s leagues.
Investment in participation initiatives could address a declining trend in Rugby League participation
Expanding the NRLW competition could increase Rugby League’s exposure over the course of a calendar year more in line with other sports that have seen growth in interest in their women’s competitions
Investing into the women’s game and creating new fans of NRLW could also have a positive impact on the number of NRL fans
Women’s sport typically does not demand large rights fees from broadcasters due to low TV ratings
The main opportunity to commercialise women’s sport is through sponsorship and enabling sponsors to use Intellectual Property
Most major sports in Australia have successfully commercialised participation programs well, particularly at a junior level
Significant commercial revenue can be generated if there is proper coordination of resources across the whole landscape of a sport
Female elite competitions were primarily the leagues that grew in interest across major Australian sports
• The five most popular women’s leagues experienced a combined average growth in interest of 15% amongst Australians between 2016 and 2019
• The growth in interest for women’s leagues is the inverse to men’s leagues, which have experienced a combined 1% decline in interest since 2016 (5% decline excluding ALeague and NBL)
• Women’s leagues are critically important to sustaining engagement within sports rather than relying on existing league fan bases that are declining
• Gemba data shows that across both NRL/NRLW and AFL/AFLW there is a strong relationship between fanatics of the female leagues also being fanatics of the respective male leagues
• Growing NRLW fanatics may also unlock new fanatics for the NRL. Based on 2020 data, 80% of NRLW fanatics are also highly passionate about the NRL
NRLW expansion will have a positive impact on the key drivers of sponsorship revenue, particularly league and team interest
Expansion will lead to greater fan engagement as more NRL teams have an equivalent women’s team providing the ability to generate more Intellectual Property value in sponsorship deals Additional matches will deliver an increase in broadcaster viewership which will widen the reach and value of sponsor brand exposure
On-screen exposure for brands will increase in line with the additional number of matches leading to increased exposure value for sponsors
Additional matches will result in greater reach and attendance which generates more commercial revenue for the league and additional value for sponsors
Brands are looking for opportunities to demonstrate their commitment to a sport from grassroots to the elite
“From NAB AFL Auskick to the big time” NAB
‘As a sponsor of women in sport for over a decade, from grassroots to the elite level…’ Harvey Norman
“We’re proud supporters of Australia’s game; men and women, young and old, from the grassroots to the elite.” Toyota
‘Kicking goals from the elite level to the grassroots: CBA and Football Australia have signed a dynamic new partnership to develop the national women’s game at all levels’
Expansion will lead to greater fan engagement as more NRL teams have an equivalent women’s team providing the ability to generate more Intellectual Property value in sponsorship deals Additional matches will deliver an increase in broadcaster viewership which will widen the reach and value of sponsor brand exposure
On-screen exposure for brands will increase in line with the additional number of matches leading to increased exposure value for sponsors
Additional matches will result in greater reach and attendance which generates more commercial revenue for the league and additional value for sponsors
Please refer to the 200 page Gemba_NRL-Expansion-Analysis_Final-Report_170621.pdf for further information and references.
Hope this helps.