You've hit the nail on the head here, the PL & CL are not individual entities so why, with such small numbers, aren't they riding in the same league to prove that? Without a TV deal (and the sponsorship that brings) and without a sudden unexpected rise in crowd numbers all clubs are (financially) Championship clubs.

So, as it appears most Championship clubs run profitably throughout the season using the majority of riders who ride in the loss making Premiership.  Maybe the Championship clubs should underwrite any potential losses of the team stepping up to the Premiership in order to keep open their source of affordable riders. 

!!

And if there was to be no prem or champ leagues but a third “hybrid” that the club he signed for was not a part of? Or that the club deemed him surplus to requirements? 

The UK hockey Elite League has fully professional players being paid on average citcs 40k per season. Match day squads are limited to 20 players from a full roster of 25. The average total cost for players is circa £900k over a 26 week regular season meaning an average weekly squad cost of 36k However those figures are averages Imported foreign players are paid in a range of between 70k - 120k (so up to £4k per week) with the majority of British players earning an average of 25k On top of that there are bonuses paid based on performance. As well as accommodation, transport including air fares (for foreign nationals) and university fees to name a few  .

Rob Godfey is more hopeful of keeping the Two Tier Structure in 2026 (Speedway Star)