But in a salary cap sport, how can they do that? They were maxed up to the cap with the squad they had, and they had Sonny Bill. Doesn't get much bigger than that.
True! Forgot about the cap, presumably that doesn't apply in the Championship where they can outspend everyone?
There is a salary cap in the championship/division 1 but it’s the same as SL , so their was only Toronto who could get near to it, and now Ottawa.
Thanks for that info.
It is disappointing that our sport comes down to having the deepest pocket! Probably always came down to that in some way or other though. I know that when it was all P/T some clubs had board members who could find jobs for players, which amounts to the same thing I guess.
Terry O'Connor and Farrell were paid to play RU but actually just sat on the bench which was Wigan's way of beating the cap.
What is the position of any club who takes over TWP regarding the 2021 contracts? Are they still liable for those contracts, including the SBW contract? If a so called billionaire cannot afford to pay players, won't whoever takes over, be in the same position?
There is a salary cap in the championship/division 1 but it’s the same as SL , so their was only Toronto who could get near to it, and now Ottawa.
To make it a more equal playing field, the Championship/League 1 salary cap should be set at a level commensurate with the financial position of the clubs in those Divisions.
If the NA dream is a reality, why not simply fast-track Ottawa/NY and anyone else they want, directly into SL, without the farce of them simply buying promotion. I think they will eventually revert to a licensing system anyway, with any club having to pay a hefty entrance fee that only a select few can afford. At least then, the rest of the game can get on with playing rugby league.
If the NA dream is a reality, why not simply fast-track Ottawa/NY and anyone else they want, directly into SL, without the farce of them simply buying promotion. I think they will eventually revert to a licensing system anyway, with any club having to pay a hefty entrance fee that only a select few can afford. At least then, the rest of the game can get on with playing rugby league.
And that's my view. Problem is that the SL/RFL would have to make decisions and plan the way forward. They react rather than plan. They obviously see the Championship as being dross which can be walked on rather than encouraged and developed.
On that note though, Full Time in the 3rd Div is absurd.....the agents and players must be made up!
Is it just me or do others wonder why lower tier Rugby Players actually need an agent?
Anyway, its not even the end of August yet and I have every confidence in the Coach to assemble a squad that will compete well and get into the Top 5.
I am sure we are all behind you there CJ!
On that note though, Full Time in the 3rd Div is absurd…..the agents and players must be made up! Is it just me or do others wonder why lower tier Rugby Players actually need an agent? Anyway, its not even the end of August yet and I have every confidence in the Coach to assemble a squad that will compete well and get into the Top 5.
Complete agree about agents. It's a combination of massaging egos and agents seizing an opportunity. The whole Ottawa recruitment is a joke. Virtually all players managed by the same agent, who is apparently in charge of recruitment! Oh and the coach is his too. Nice money maker for him I'm sure.
Regarding Toronto, apparently they have £600k debt to trade creditors (I guess could be anything from hotels and accommodation bills to travel) and £1.3m liabilities (presume this is the remainder of this season's contracts).
Sonny Bill is still on contract for next year, something he confirmed when he arrived in Australia. So that's about £3m for 2021 alone.
Wasn't it one of the Foxes who wouldn't talk to agents on the basis that if the player wasn't man enough to talk to him direct he didn't want him in his team. That was when agents were just starting off.
Are Ottawa going to play any 'home' games in the UK?
Yes. They are playing all there home games at Leigh.
Dear me, what a complete waste of time.
Well they did say that they would hire local players! Hope the lads aren't disappointed.
Yes. They are playing all there home games at Leigh.
Dear me, what a complete waste of time.
So let me get this right.
We have a so called Canadian team, with no Canadian players, who bought the RL licence to replace Hemel Stags ie 24 miles from London where the RFL have been desperate to expand, that will play their games in Leigh. Maybe next year, we will have a New York team based in Batley.
I now understand the idea of this expansion. We just change the name of an existing RL club. Beaumont missed a trick there. He should have changed the Leigh name to Washington Centurions and SL would welcome them with open arms.
Think Batley might be a bit far out? (LOL)
I am not been disingenuous here but if you think a 5th place is a mountain to a high then you’re overselling the quality of the championship. We are the second biggest club in the comp, second biggest fan base, best coach, some of the best players and I’d say our budget would be top 6. Asking to finish 5th isn’t asking a lot....
Also, it is interesting the contrast. I remember this site in 2015 where we finished 9th (very unlucky to miss the play offs) and 90% of this board wanted Betts gone even though he overachieved.