Why there will be no level playing field for Super League newcomers

The process is underway to decide on a 12th club for 2021 following Toronto Wolfpack’s demise.

Championship outfits London Broncos, Toulouse Olympique, York City Knights, Featherstone Rovers, Bradford Bulls and Leigh Centurions will all apply.

However, many will argue they are set up to fail given whoever succeeds – an independent panel is set to decide by December 16 – will only receive £1m central funding compared to the other 11 clubs who usually take around £1.8m.

Elstone insisted: “We debated that for quite some time.

“There were a range of views and we came to a consensus that a million was a number that would allow a club to compete and build a squad that had a chance.

“But, most fundamentally, there was a feeling that the whole economics of Super League are suppressed and the consequence would be that spending on player wages will be reduced (in 2021).

“Therefore, with that level of support from the centre, a club could be competitive. It was a combination of current economic climate, the player market and general affordability across Super League.”

On their chances of avoiding relegation, Elstone conceded: “It will be a challenge.

“The clubs felt that with a good coach, good existing squad and that level of funding, a club could come into Super League and be competitive. Clearly, it will be a challenge and they’ll need to recruit well, but clubs felt it was the right amount of money.”

One reason Toronto’s bid to regain their place failed – they announced in July they could not fulfil their fixtures due to financial reasons brought on by Covid – was because a damaging report commissioned by Super League said there was little commercial prospects from involving a Canadian club.

However, Ottawa, who have delayed their start in League One until 2022, hope to follow Toronto’s route to the top level.

Elstone – who admitted Super League are continuing to look for a private equity deal – said: “We’re allowed to limit the number in Super League so we’re protected in terms of the number of outright overseas clubs.

“But Toronto’s demise, if you like, probably opens the opportunity for another Canadian club to take its place. That would give us great concern based on what we’ve written.

“It was interesting when Toronto looked like they were going to be promoted in 2018, we tried to push for evidence of due-diligence and sustainability, and then we asked again in 2019.

“Now I’m fully aware of the challenges of getting proper due-diligence – they are not easy – but the reality is that when they were first admitted, there was no commercial appraisal (by the RFL).

“It was opportunistic, it wasn’t strategic and the level of due-diligence was modest.

“If the same is applied to Ottawa, there’s a danger we’re making the same mistake again and Super League should be concerned about that.”

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