Salary cap unanimity was a common sense vote by the Super League clubs

DURING A five-hour conference call this week, Super League clubs voted unanimously to retain the salary cap at £2.1m next season.

That was an impressive show of unity and surprising one considering six clubs had reportedly been keen for a reduction to £1.8m.

The GMB union, which represents Super League players, had opposed that suggestion.

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Players from all 12 top-flight sides met online earlier in the week and – again unanimously – called for a greater say in the way the sport is restarted following the coronavirus pandemic, as well as urging clubs not to vote for a cut in the spending limit. At a time when the competition needs to be standing together, there was a danger the sport could have been split down the middle by the salary cap issue.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: John Bateman of the Raiders runs with the ball during the round 7 NRL match between the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Canberra Raiders at Lottoland on April 28, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: John Bateman of the Raiders runs with the ball during the round 7 NRL match between the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Canberra Raiders at Lottoland on April 28, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: John Bateman of the Raiders runs with the ball during the round 7 NRL match between the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Canberra Raiders at Lottoland on April 28, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

That, to be fair, is a familiar scenario, but not one anyone needs at the present time. The concerns of clubs previously in favour of a reduction in the cap were understandable, but by performing a U-turn on Thursday they did the right thing.

The salary cap is a maximum, but clubs are not mandated to spend up to that limit. In other words, clubs who can’t afford to spend £2.1m do not have to, so why should the ones who can have to suffer? Supposedly, the cap prevents clubs going into the red by operating outside their means and makes for a more even competition. Clearly, it does neither. A number of clubs, most notably former champions Bradford Bulls, have run into financial difficulties during the Super League era and the competition, now into its 25th season, has had only four different champions, though another two clubs have finished top of the table.

Salford Red Devils, one of the clubs not spending to the full cap, reached the Grand Final last year, having ended the regular season in third place. There is a case for arguing if there is going to be a cap, all clubs should spend up to it. However, Super League has to be about raising standards, not dragging everyone down to the weakest’s level.

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These are exceptional times and clubs will face unique difficulties this year and into 2021, but reducing the cap to its 2017 level would be a leap backwards. The sport is already under pressure from rugby union, which has much greater spending power, though that particular sport is facing its own Covid-19-related issues.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 12: Jackson Hastings of Salford Red Devils kicks the ball under pressure from Morgan Knowles of St Helens during Betfred Super League Grand Final between St Helens and Salford Red Devils at Old Trafford on October 12, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 12: Jackson Hastings of Salford Red Devils kicks the ball under pressure from Morgan Knowles of St Helens during Betfred Super League Grand Final between St Helens and Salford Red Devils at Old Trafford on October 12, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 12: Jackson Hastings of Salford Red Devils kicks the ball under pressure from Morgan Knowles of St Helens during Betfred Super League Grand Final between St Helens and Salford Red Devils at Old Trafford on October 12, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Australia’s NRL, which resumed this week after a two-month lay-off, is also a predator which needs to be kept at bay.

Though there is little respect for the European game Down Under, clubs there do recognise that exciting talent is produced in the northern hemisphere. Some of Super League’s best young players have gone to the NRL and thrived and others are being closely monitored by Australian sides.

The game here has a relatively small player base and simply can’t afford to keep losing individuals of the quality of John Bateman or Luke Thompson. Players are aware of the crisis facing the top clubs and have been supportive of their efforts to stay afloat, taking wage cuts across the board.

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Reducing the cap by around 14 per cent would have been a step too far.

Clubs, like Warrington, who have a wealthy backer will be at an advantage over the next couple of seasons, but that is nothing new and hasn’t helped them win a title to date.

Teams making the best use of available resources will still come out on top.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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