Cats' stance on 'game-changing' salary caps heading for L1
restrictions on spending but a limit on losses allowed over a three-year period.
The enforcement or otherwise of both has proved hugely controversial. Rodwell says that the goal of any changes must be about ‘sustainability’, not creating a level-playing field. Essentially, Sunderland believe that they should not be prevented from utilising the power of their fanbase, who can help power a turnover in excess of their rivals.
“Sunderland absolutely agree that clubs should become more sustainable, but that doesn't mean a hard and fast wage cap,” Rodwell said.
“Sustainability is not about creating a level-playing field, it's about living within your means. If that means one club is larger than another, so be it. That's what sustainability means. Whatever happened, therewouldhavetobearrangements. Transitional arrangementsforwhentheyfirstcome in, transitional arrangements for clubs being relegated from the Championship.
“If it was suddenly dropped on us, then it would be impossible to be perfectly honest. Therewouldbetransitionalarrangements.” It is not yet clear whenthecapswillbeimposed, with Burton Albion chairman Ben Robinson suggesting earlier this week that it could be the2021/22seasonbeforethey are in force.
Rodwell says discussions are ongoing, but a vote or decision is far from imminent. “It's an ongoing workstream across all three divisions to make clubs more sustainable,” he said. “I think everybodyacceptsthatclubsintheir current form aren't sustainable. The losses incurred particularly in the Championship are absolutely astronomical and we need to do something about that. We need to make clubs more sustainable, absolutely. At the moment, that's a workstream for the EFL, but we're nowhere near a position that we're going to vote on or anything like that.”