Wigan Warriors and Wigan Athletic close to agreement over DW Stadium

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors and Wigan Athletic are reportedly nearing an agreement on the DW Stadium moving forward.

The two clubs have been locked in discussions ever since Phoenix 2021 Limited took over the football club, but Latics CEO Mal Brannigan believes a deal is now close as meetings with Wigan Executive Director Kris Radlinski have been fruitful.

“I’m hopeful it will be a very productive and rewarding partnership moving forward,” Brannigan told Wigan Today.

You might ask Kris and he might give you a different answer! But from my perspective, I have a very positive relationship with him.

We know that we both want the best for our individual organisation.

At the same time, it’s important we remain respectful of each other’s jobs, and the roles we have to play.

“And also that there’s a strong willingness to see Wigan have a high profile within sport – whether that’s football or rugby.

“Where we can support each other, we will look to do so, and I’m looking forward to working together with their staff over the next few years.

Brannigan believes an announcement on the stadium is just around the corner with Wigan set to stay for ‘the foreseeable future.’

We’re down to the dotting the ‘i’s’ and crossing the ‘t’s’ now,” he said. “And it’s been a good exercise to do.

We’re both mindful of the need to look after each other’s business, and in the first instance that’s what we’ve done.

“We believe we’ll get to a very fair agreement, and ensure the Warriors will remain here for the foreseeable future.”

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/wigan-wa ... ium-50880/

[Caboosegg]

Athletic believe they will get a very fair agreement... aka screw the rugby over.

The only way it will ever be fair is for a 3rd party not associated with either to own the stadium.

[AndyNick]

I hope that the new agreement includes a promise to tidy up the stadium. Right now its in a terrible state. It's dirty, the seats look faded. Love them or hate them, the HJ is always immaculate when we go there. Add on to that, I got to the game last week to find our seats broken and unusable. When you're trying to attract people in having a stadium that's falling apart isn't really a good look. There's so much they do right with the fanzone and the Robin Park facility is impressive but we're badly let down by the stadium at the moment.

[Blaze Meister]

Athletic believe they will get a very fair agreement... aka screw the rugby over.

The only way it will ever be fair is for a 3rd party not associated with either to own the stadium.

To be fair, Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC pay close to £1million a year to use their shared stadiums,
Warriors haven't paid anywhere near that much for donkey's years...

[Blaze Meister]

I hope that the new agreement includes a promise to tidy up the stadium. Right now its in a terrible state. It's dirty, the seats look faded. Love them or hate them, the HJ is always immaculate when we go there. Add on to that, I got to the game last week to find our seats broken and unusable. When you're trying to attract people in having a stadium that's falling apart isn't really a good look. There's so much they do right with the fanzone and the Robin Park facility is impressive but we're badly let down by the stadium at the moment.

The Stadium is hardly falling apart, but a new sponsorship deal is incoming, so seats will be replaced & all the internal & external aesthetics will be renovated

[josie andrews]

Athletic believe they will get a very fair agreement... aka screw the rugby over.

The only way it will ever be fair is for a 3rd party not associated with either to own the stadium.

To be fair, Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC pay close to £1million a year to use their shared stadiums,
Warriors haven't paid anywhere near that much for donkey's years...

Why should they when money from Central Park was used towards the building of it & it is supposed to be equally shared by both clubs? Unfortunately this is not the case anymore, & as already been said, a third party with no links to either club should own the stadium.

[Exiled Wiganer]

They are our enemy, and we should sup with them with a very long spoon. All of this stuff around “sharing” has repeatedly been shown to be a one way street and we will continue to get shafted on any occasion that there is a clash. The idea of Radlinski negotiating a deal with this lot inspires no confidence at all.

Life is a long song, though, and one day we will find a way out, either through their complete collapse , an alternative stadium or an independent company running the place.

[AndyNick]

You can see from the branding outside the stadium that it is very much Wigan Athletic Football club now. Much in the same way that we've made Robin Park our own facility and a great little facility it is. Having our own permanent club shop as well as being able to offer our own pre-match entertainment facility is a great addition.

We're led to believe that once the seats and concourses are redone that will be very much latics as well. Is it the new owners preventing the flags in the south stand from being put up for games as well? I'm really not all that bothered what colour my seats is providing its fit for use!! Would be nice to see the flags back up though to give us a sense of our own identity.

[Wintergreen]

They are our enemy, and we should sup with them with a very long spoon. All of this stuff around “sharing” has repeatedly been shown to be a one way street and we will continue to get shafted on any occasion that there is a clash. The idea of Radlinski negotiating a deal with this lot inspires no confidence at all.

Life is a long song, though, and one day we will find a way out, either through their complete collapse , an alternative stadium or an independent company running the place.

What a load of twaddle!

[Blaze Meister]

Athletic believe they will get a very fair agreement... aka screw the rugby over.

The only way it will ever be fair is for a 3rd party not associated with either to own the stadium.

To be fair, Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC pay close to £1million a year to use their shared stadiums,
Warriors haven't paid anywhere near that much for donkey's years...

Why should they when money from Central Park was used towards the building of it & it is supposed to be equally shared by both clubs? Unfortunately this is not the case anymore, & as already been said, a third party with no links to either club should own the stadium.

That's a fallacy Josie.
The JJB Stadium (as was) was never meant for Wigan Warriors.
It was Wigan Athletic and Orrell RU.
Warriors ex owners Jack Robinson and Tom Rathbone pocketed the proceeds of the sale of Central Park, before they sold the club to Dave Whelan.