Sky Sports have revealed how much they believe each Super League side have spent of their salary cap with the results showing that big spend doesn’t always mean big results.
Ahead of the Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves clash, live on Sky Sports Main Event, Brian Carney explained how the two high-spending teams hadn’t hit the peaks of success in recent years that they had been aiming for.
Warrington are without a playoff win since 2018 whilst Leeds have failed to make the top four in the past seven seasons, despite being one of Super League’s most historic and successful sides.
As such, Carney explained how the team at Sky had tried to work out each team’s salary spend for the 2024 season with the results being surprising.
Carney explained: “We’ve been working the phones, it’s not been easy, we’ve had a lot of calls to make and this is our estimation of the salary spend of all 12 Super League clubs.
“It’s more than I guess, it’s a lot of research come into this believe it or not.”
“We have Wigan at the top with around 3.1 spend on salaries followed closely behind by Catalans Dragons and the Warrington Wolves and then Leeds joining Huddersfield and St. Helens on 2.7 million spend.
“After them come Hull KR, Leigh with Hull, Castleford and Salford all underneath the finite cap of 2.1 million and London who have newly been promoted at 1.4 million.”
How much each Super League side has spent for 2024?
Credit: Imago Images
It’s no surprise that Wigan Warriros are the biggest spenders in Super League given how impressive their squad is and Grand Final runners-up Catalans Dragons being second in spend maybe shouldn’t be a surprise either.
Warrington Wolves also being estimated to spend £3 million shows the huge pressure that Sam Burgess is under and the faith that owner Simon Moran has put in the rookie head coach.
St Helens and Leeds Rhinos have also splashed the cash with Leeds having been one of the most active sides in the off-season, whilst rising force Hull KR also spent a fair chunk with the likes of Peta Hiku and Tyrone May arriving for 2024.
Leigh retaining their stars puts them at an estimated spend of £2.2 million with the remaining sides Hull FC, Salford, Castleford and London all spending below the finite cap of £2.1 million.
That highlights just how impressive Salford have been with the club making the playoffs a number of time in recent years, including a visit to Old Trafford, as well as starting 2024 in strong form.
Sam Tomkins picked them out as his shock side: “Salford spending just £1.7 million and producing what they have produced in recent years getting to finals, the brand of rugby they play, I think they’re doing a remarkable job.
“I think that shows what sport is sometimes about, it’s not always about having the best players, it can be about having the best togetherness as we like to call it, and I think that’s what Salford have in an abundance, although they don’t spend as much as some clubs.”
Carney provided some context, adding: “That was only what we think is this year spent but looking back over the last few seasons from 2019 to 2023, Saints have won 79% of their game, Wigan 67, Warrington 55, Leeds 50 and the aforementioned Salford 46%.”
Teams such as Castleford Tigers who haven’t spent the full cap have suggested that they could be set to make “marquee signings” at some point this season.
Super League Estimated Salary Spend for 2024
Wigan Warriors – £3.1 million
Catalans Dragons and Warrington Wolves – £3 million
St Helens, Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants – £2.7 million
Hull KR – £2.4 million
Leigh Leopards – £2.2 million
Hull FC – £1.8 million
Salford Red Devils & Castleford Tigers – £1.7 million
London Broncos – £1.4 million
Source: Sky Sports (Figures are an estimate)
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