Buying power in the premiership

[rugby then work]

Not complaining here but just wondered what everyone else thought of the buying power of Glaws:

Some of the players joining Glaws this coming season

Lesley Vianikolo (Bradford Bulls)
Andy Titterall (Sale)
Leon Lloyd (Leicester)
Jeremy Paul (ACT Brumbies)
Gareth Cooper (Newport-Gwent)
Chris Paterson (Edinburgh)

Having a wealthy owner is now becoming more crucial to a clubs success than it ever was in the old amateur days, Glaws have just signed a big sponsorship deal with Jewson as well so that will have the added bonus of a new shirt to sell to the fans.

Is rugby going the way of football, where there seems to be no way to break the monopoly of the 4 or 5 top teams?

[wolfy]

Not complaining here but just wondered what everyone else thought of the buying power of Glaws:

Some of the players joining Glaws this coming season

Lesley Vianikolo (Bradford Bulls)
Andy Titterall (Sale)
Leon Lloyd (Leicester)
Jeremy Paul (ACT Brumbies)
Gareth Cooper (Newport-Gwent)
Chris Paterson (Edinburgh)

Having a wealthy owner is now becoming more crucial to a clubs success than it ever was in the old amateur days, Glaws have just signed a big sponsorship deal with Jewson as well so that will have the added bonus of a new shirt to sell to the fans.

Is rugby going the way of football, where there seems to be no way to break the monopoly of the 4 or 5 top teams?


In many ways it already has, all premiership clubs have taken on the commercial values of football its only the RFU that is stopping a real monopoly happening and how much longer it can do that for is questionable. The players you listed are good but I doubt they cost the same as the all black players joining after the world cup.

My big concern is the lack of chances for new players to develop.

[FOMz]

I do agree RTW, but TW is skint - still. I get the feeling of some behind the scene shenanigans to finance these.

Andt Titteral was a bit of a bargin basement job I rekon. The Volcano, does he have England ambitions? Are the RFU doing a Henry Paul??

[wgaf]

It doesn't really matter how much money a clubs owners have or how many players they bring in, as long as we have a wage cap we'll not join the prima donnas of football. The wage cap means that players will go where they think they will have a better chance of 1st team rugby, trophys/titles and possibly better chance of international possibilities.

[rugby then work]

In many ways it already has, all premiership clubs have taken on the commercial values of football its only the RFU that is stopping a real monopoly happening and how much longer it can do that for is questionable. The players you listed are good but I doubt they cost the same as the all black players joining after the world cup.

My big concern is the lack of chances for new players to develop.

Gloucester for one have this well covered, the recent link up with Moseley(Link) (http://www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com/2541_3244.php) to enable the development of younger players, Ryans willingness to give the youngsters a go and the clubs on going pursuit of the best up and coming talent proves that (Link (http://www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com/2541_3242.php)) and (Link (http://www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com/2541_3236.php)).

I do agree RTW, but TW is skint - still. I get the feeling of some behind the scene shenanigans to finance these.

Andy Titteral was a bit of a bargin basement job I reckon. The Volcano, does he have England ambitions? Are the RFU doing a Henry Paul??

From what has been reported so far LV is not interested in switching allegiance to England and the RFU own no part of his contract (unlike with Henry).

It doesn't really matter how much money a clubs owners have or how many players they bring in, as long as we have a wage cap we'll not join the prima donnas of football. The wage cap means that players will go where they think they will have a better chance of 1st team rugby, trophies/titles and possibly better chance of international possibilities.

The Salary cap isn't going to stop to many top flight teams, lets be fair players at a lot of clubs were receiving "payment" before the advent of professionalism. Clubs often get round the cap by setting up sponsorship and marketing payments - which go straight to the player not the club and are therefore not included in the wage bill.

[wgaf]

The Salary cap isn't going to stop to many top flight teams, lets be fair players at a lot of clubs were receiving "payment" before the advent of professionalism. Clubs often get round the cap by setting up sponsorship and marketing payments - which go straight to the player not the club and are therefore not included in the wage bill.[/quote]
There's lots of other bits and bobs as well, most premiership teams will provide accomodation on top of the wage. The rfu are looking at ways of leveling the playing field as we speak. What comes of the discussions is anyones guess, but I'd be prepared to wager a hefty wedge that the big clubs bully everyone else into submission.

[wolfy]

There's lots of other bits and bobs as well, most premiership teams will provide accomodation on top of the wage. The rfu are looking at ways of leveling the playing field as we speak. What comes of the discussions is anyones guess, but I'd be prepared to wager a hefty wedge that the big clubs bully everyone else into submission.

There is no way the RFU can level the playing field to that extent because as it has already been stated the top clubs get around these things. The salary cap has helped to keep some control in the game. I would fear for the game and some of the small professional clubs if it was lifted completely. I would hate to see a similar situation to football where the top clubs have enough top players to field two 1st teams.

[auchtermuchty]

I would wager that if the salary cap is lifted a lot of clubs would go the way of Leeds Utd. Big influx of money that attracts big players and then administration before you know it.

What I see more likely is a system like major league baseball has with a nominal salary cap, that if breached runs a tax at 75%ish payable to the RFU. How could the RFU turn the money down? That way the big clubs can do what they like!!

I dont like it, it just how i see it going.

[wgaf]

I would wager that if the salary cap is lifted a lot of clubs would go the way of Leeds Utd. Big influx of money that attracts big players and then administration before you know it.

What I see more likely is a system like major league baseball has with a nominal salary cap, that if breached runs a tax at 75%ish payable to the RFU. How could the RFU turn the money down? That way the big clubs can do what they like!!

I dont like it, it just how i see it going.
The salary cap is not due for revue until 2010, IIRC, but then I can see the big clubs putting the pressure on to get their own way, it'll be the death knell of competetive rugby outside of six or seven clubs.

[rugby then work]

I would wager that if the salary cap is lifted a lot of clubs would go the way of Leeds Utd. Big influx of money that attracts big players and then administration before you know it.

What I see more likely is a system like major league baseball has with a nominal salary cap, that if breached runs a tax at 75%ish payable to the RFU. How could the RFU turn the money down? That way the big clubs can do what they like!!

I dont like it, it just how i see it going.

I think the current wage cap is around £2 Million, If the cap is breached the clubs are fined £3 for ever £1 over and if they exceed £100,000 they are banned from European competition.

[wgaf]

I think the current wage cap is around £2 Million, If the cap is breached the clubs are fined £3 for ever £1 over and if they exceed £100,000 they are banned from European competition.
The cap is 1.7 million, but the rest is correct mate.

[auchtermuchty]

You missed my point

I was trying to say that it would give the appearance of still having a cap and yet allow the clubs to ignore it with minimum penalty. that way everyone gets something!!

Unless you support a poor club of course, then they could use the excuse of the cap for not breaking it though........

Politics makes my head hurt