RFL agrees plan to raise the Salary Cap to more than £2m
SUPER LEAGUE clubs have backed a number of proposals set out by the Rugby Football League designed to help attract the best talent to the Betfred Super League.
Clubs voted to increase the current Salary Cap to £2.1m by 2020 and backed proposals to introduce three additional changes to the current rules all designed specifically to help clubs keep and attract elite talent to the competition.
Under current regulations, the finite salary cap is £1.825m per season but the new proposals would see it rise to £1.9m in 2018, £2m in 2019 and £2.1m in 2020.
In addition to the proposed Salary Cap rise, clubs voted to increase the number of marquee players permitted at each Super League club from one to two and have backed proposals that provide clubs with exemptions from the Salary Cap when bringing new or returning players to the sport.
The final proposal voted for by Super League clubs would see exemptions to the Salary Cap for certain players under 21 years old.
The Rugby Football League Board officially approved the proposals at a board meeting in Manchester last week meaning the new regulations will come into force from the start of the 2018 Betfred Super League season.
Speaking last week, Rugby Football League chief commercial officer & Super League executive director, Roger Draper, said: “We have had a fantastic start to the 2017 Betfred Super League season with some incredible action on the field.
“Attendances and viewing figures are up on last year and the decision to support the proposals today is another significant positive result for the Super League.
“The clubs asked the Rugby Football League to put forward a set of proposals that would help them retain and attract the best players to the competition and we believe that when you ● consider all the them together, these changes could make a significant difference to helping clubs attract and retain the best talent in this league and that is something we all are determined to do going forward.”
Owner of Wigan Warriors, Ian Lenagan, said: “The meeting today was very positive and was a move in the right direction for the Super League.
“We need the best players playing in our competition and when all of the proposals that were voted through are looked at together, the decisions that were made today will provide Super League clubs the opportunity to do that.”
Warrington Wolves owner, Simon Moran, said: “I think it was a constructive meeting and everyone was very positive as we left at the end.
“If you want the competition to flourish going forward it is very important that the best talent is kept in our League and some of the proposals that were put forward today will help us do that.
“I thought it was very important that the salary cap did go up and the opportunity is now there with two marquee players available to clubs to bring and retain some of the best talent in the world.”
And the owner of Salford Red Devils, Marwan Koukash, said: “I think it was a fantastic meeting.
“I think the decisions that were made are good for the sport and good for the competition and I am delighted with this outcome.
“It is crucial we have the best players playing in this league.
He added: “We need to provide fans with the best entertainment and talent on the field and the decisions today give us the opportunity to do that.”