Toronto Wolfpack have made the shock decision to withdraw from the remainder of the Super League season, casting doubts over the club’s future.
Rugby League’s only North American team made headlines around the world late last year when they signed Sonny Bill Williams on a deal worth a reported $10 million.
On Monday Toronto said the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to them to pull the pin on the season.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, and in consideration of a range of factors specific to the club as the only transatlantic team in the league,” a Wolfpack statement read.
“The COVID pandemic has presented unexpected and overwhelming financial challenges to the Wolfpack organisation.”
The news was met with anger from Super League officials with the campaign due to restart on August 2.
The latest developments could result in Toronto being relegated from Super League – although the Rugby Football League announced late on Monday that the 2020 top-flight season will have no relegation.
“Super League and the RFL are very disappointed to learn that Toronto Wolfpack will not be able to fulfil their obligations to Super League 2020,” a statement read.
“Super League Europe and The RFL have been in regular dialogue with the Wolfpack over the past weeks and months regarding the club’s ability to take part in the competition and firm assurances had been received as recently as last Thursday, 16 July.
“Our immediate focus is on getting the season back underway on August 2… A discussion around the longer term consequences and the future of the Wolfpack in Super League will commence shortly.”
In announcing the abolition of relegation from the top-flight, the RFL confirmed that this year’s lower leagues would not resume.
“There will be no relegation from the 11-team Betfred Super League in 2020 – for reasons of integrity, player welfare and also to protect the solvency of clubs,” a statement from the RFL said.
Reports last week claimed players had not been paid by the club, which is bankrolled by Australian mining magnate David Argyle, but they have insisted that all wages will be guaranteed.
“Player and staff payroll, an issue of recent media attention, has been guaranteed by Wolfpack majority owner David Argyle and is secured by a personal guarantee to the RFL,” the club statement said.
clipper
Roar Rookie
I did not realise that - just shows you that it was even more of a pack of cards without his financial backing.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Still using my partner's name hey! you are one sad individual
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Trust you to join in any bad league story. You're a vulture. Really would be good if you actually knew what you were talking about. Perez has cut ties with the club, has no ownership or involvement in the Wolfpack fyi
Jacko
Guest
yeah he played at the 2011 cup with Kahui so a 12 13 combo all sorted there
LeftRight
Guest
Who'da thought a team from that powerhouse of Rugby League aka Canada, playing their games in the UK, against UK teams would turn around & discover it's a bloody stupid idea (lucky COVID is there for them to hide behind). I for one am totally surprised by this. The Poms however seem amazed by this decision, but I'm not surprised by that.
Jacko
Guest
Ok Max...No worries....What did your sauces ( pun intended ) tell you?
BillPosters
Roar Rookie
Western Force? Get some of the twiggy Forrest money?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Almost played as many games as millions he’s earned...
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Ha, I had just wondered if this will be the usual ‘star’ signing, sonny bill would play for one of the ‘leading’ teams (is that the most accurate description?). Them magically, somehow bamboozling math to fit him into the salary pack. ‘Oh, he signed cause he really wants the opportunity to play here, with them, under such and such...’. Lol
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I don’t think it’s at all fair to say not being able to withstand a once in a century pandemic shows they couldn’t afford to sign him. On that metric a huge amount of Australian businesses can’t afford to be in operation given the uptake of Job Keeper.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Salary cap relief for Radley and Verrills? Give us some relief for Bird. Blokes been at the club almost as many years as games he’s played.
Guess
Roar Rookie
True not being able to withstand covid challenges shows that they couldn’t afford to sign him for that amount and it’s just poor management/mismanagement. But maybe those numbers aren’t real…
Guess
Roar Rookie
It can be bought by other investors. But sometimes it doesn't happen..
Panana split
Roar Rookie
Unfortunate, I was looking forward to seeing Sonny carve-up. Hopefully, he can make an appearance for Samoa (or the kiwis) sometime this year.
Panana split
Roar Rookie
Did you just refer to the Roosters as the World Champs? How American of you.
Panana split
Roar Rookie
A young promising talent
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Champion move. Should be the standard IMO. There are still emotional bridges in twisted and melted wreckage.
Jacko
Guest
And the club has garranteed a 55% pay of their salaries for this year too
allblackfan
Guest
I could tell you but why would I potentially want to help the NRL snatch ANOTHER kiwi player? :stoked:
Jacko
Guest
He bought the Bridge...Only guy in NRL history to buy out his contract