Wigan Warriors' staggering losses revealed as club hope fans return eases burden

[josie andrews]

The Warriors, like all Super League clubs, have been hit hard in the global pandemic

Wigan Warriors have lost almost £100,000 for every home game they have played without supporters, Kris Radlinski has revealed - before calling on rugby league to use the return of fans as a defining moment for the sport's future.

The Warriors played in front of a crowd for the first time in over a year on Monday night, when they defeated local rivals Leigh. However, they will have to wait longer than most other sides for their first match with their own supporters present, with their next home game not until mid-June.

But Radlinski praised the importance of supporters to Wigan and the sport as a whole, saying the game could not have survived the coronavirus pandemic without their ongoing support before revealing the scale of the losses the Warriors incur without them.

"Every game without fans is a loss to this club approaching £100,000," Radlinski told Rugby League Live.

Without the support of our fans and the Government backing, this club, and every other club, would have ceased to exist. Fans across the sport donated their season ticket money last year when they could have rightfully asked for a refund. This year, big numbers bought season tickets completely blind as to what was on offer. It was a huge show of confidence for the sport."

Radlinski continued: "The rugby league business model isn't rocket science. Clubs are reliant on ticket money from fans, retail, sponsorship, hospitality and central distribution. All these different elements have been affected by Covid-19. The sport belongs to the people and we can't forget that.

“How important is a rugby league crowd? It is the lifeblood of the sport. We don't exist without fans. Simple. Whilst there has been so much uncertainty for so many industries during the past year, it has felt a little more significant for rugby league. The internal battling and external perception has created an atmosphere of discord. We all have a responsibility to protect the sport more than ever, putting self-interest aside for the greater good."

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... s-20623518

[AncientWarrior]

The Warriors, like all Super League clubs, have been hit hard in the global pandemic

Wigan Warriors have lost almost £100,000 for every home game they have played without supporters, Kris Radlinski has revealed - before calling on rugby league to use the return of fans as a defining moment for the sport's future.

The Warriors played in front of a crowd for the first time in over a year on Monday night, when they defeated local rivals Leigh. However, they will have to wait longer than most other sides for their first match with their own supporters present, with their next home game not until mid-June.

But Radlinski praised the importance of supporters to Wigan and the sport as a whole, saying the game could not have survived the coronavirus pandemic without their ongoing support before revealing the scale of the losses the Warriors incur without them.

"Every game without fans is a loss to this club approaching £100,000," Radlinski told Rugby League Live.

Without the support of our fans and the Government backing, this club, and every other club, would have ceased to exist. Fans across the sport donated their season ticket money last year when they could have rightfully asked for a refund. This year, big numbers bought season tickets completely blind as to what was on offer. It was a huge show of confidence for the sport."

Radlinski continued: "The rugby league business model isn't rocket science. Clubs are reliant on ticket money from fans, retail, sponsorship, hospitality and central distribution. All these different elements have been affected by Covid-19. The sport belongs to the people and we can't forget that.

“How important is a rugby league crowd? It is the lifeblood of the sport. We don't exist without fans. Simple. Whilst there has been so much uncertainty for so many industries during the past year, it has felt a little more significant for rugby league. The internal battling and external perception has created an atmosphere of discord. We all have a responsibility to protect the sport more than ever, putting self-interest aside for the greater good."

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... s-20623518

These are very sobering facts. Most fans, me included, are expecting major recruitment of players to cover actual, and anticipated, departures this season. The resulting reduction in salary cap demand would lead us to believe so. I’m no accountant but will these losses have an impact on our level of recruitment?

[pedro]

but its catch 22, people wont come to watch average players play average rugby

[ddtftf]

Is this not the same for every club Warrington / Leeds / St Helens and it would be a lot worse for Leigh Widnes etc looking at the loss we must sell a lot of PIES

[ddtftf]

Just remembered didn't the RL get a payment from the government ??? and wouldn't the rental be suspended and rates etc also no policing to pay & staff on Furlow ??

[Caboosegg]

Just remembered didn't the RL get a payment from the government ??? and wouldn't the rental be suspended and rates etc also no policing to pay & staff on Furlow ??

They would still be paying part of the staffs furlough has the rental been suspended especially with months of adminstrators trying to rinse what they could out the football club

The government payment was a loan so it has to be paid back.

And although I understand the comment further up about if they don't invest people won't pay to watch that is a catch 22 as if people don't watch and support the during times of difficulty they cannot realistically plan on spending money they cannot forecast earning.

[fozzieskem]

Just remembered didn't the RL get a payment from the government ??? and wouldn't the rental be suspended and rates etc also no policing to pay & staff on Furlow ??

They would still be paying part of the staffs furlough has the rental been suspended especially with months of adminstrators trying to rinse what they could out the football club

The government payment was a loan so it has to be paid back.

And although I understand the comment further up about if they don't invest people won't pay to watch that is a catch 22 as if people don't watch and support the during times of difficulty they cannot realistically plan on spending money they cannot forecast earning.

I highly doubt they’ve been paying for the ground that they couldn’t use once the first lockdown happened as for furlough wasn’t it a 100% to begin with seems so long ago now,in fairness to Rads he does say that it’s games without Dan’s that’s costing them money and they’ve played there 2/3 times since the first lockdown a fair chunk of change even so.