Owner plays down payroll problems

The Toronto Wolfpack’s feelgood run through the ranks of world rugby league hit a road bump in December when the transatlantic team missed payroll.

But majority owner David Argyle says the payroll was only delayed, with the original ownership group stepping in. And Argyle says short-term pain has led to long-term gain with the club strengthened by a new $10million investment that helps the bottom line now and in the future.

“We’re in a much better state now because we’ve had to really focus on the sustainability side,” he said in an interview Sunday.

“We’ve figured out the commerciality and the sustainability of the club,” he added.

The new investors are Canadian companies whose ties to the franchise will include Wolfpack-branded products in the isotonic beverages, alcohol and wellness areas as well as the injection of cash.

Argyle declined to identify the companies at this stage, saying he is awaiting the proper paperwork given two are publicly listed on Canada exchanges.

The Wolfpack-branded product lines are expected to launch in the first quarter with distribution to more than 40,000 outlets in Canada, the U.S. and Europe as well as online. The deal includes a revenue-sharing agreement that will help secure the club’s future, according to Argyle.

The payroll was supposed to be made in the third week of the month. Argyle said the original ownership group stepped in to make a “substantial payment,” adding that all payroll issues will be squared as of Monday.

He cited a volatile economy in the fourth quarter for making it “tough to create additional liquidity.”

“It wasn’t from a lack of will or want ... We always knew when we started this thing, it would be a couple of years to build the brand,” he said. “And then we would have to round out the sustainability side.”

The Wolfpack won England’s third-tier League 1 in the club’s inaugural 2017 season and topped the second-tier Betfred Championship in 2018. Toronto missed automatic promotion to the Super League on points difference before losing a promotion playoff dubbed the Million Pound Game 4-2 to London Broncos on Oct. 7.

The team has been a roaring success on the field, with a 537-3 career record.

That success has helped draw a loyal following to its Lamport Stadium home, although the franchise has not been shy about giving out tickets in its early stages.