The Salford Red Devils’ owners have reportedly made a very bold declaration about the club’s future in Super League.
Sky Sports’ Jon Wilkin has claimed that the Salford owners spoke in the press room ahead of the club’s clash with Hull KR, declaring that the Red Devils will be in Super League for 2026.
Wilkin made those comments whilst on commentary duties for Hull KR’s huge win over the Red Devils with Salford falling to a third loss to the Robins this season.
Lead commentator Dave Woods referenced the possible riches that could come if the new owners, Sire Kailahi and Curtiz Brown, ever put in the long-promised money.
To that point, Wilkin revealed that the owners had spoken in the press room ahead of the game and argued that Salford would be one of the 14 teams in next year’s expanded Super League.
Wilkin said: “They came into the press room prior to the kick off and declared that they’re in Super League next year, so that’s one of the 14 teams.
“They’ve declared that Salford are one of the 14.”
The ex-Saints man was less convinced, adding: “I think that’s yet to be seen.”
How could Salford Red Devils be in Super League next year?
It’s certainly not impossible that Salford Red Devils will be in Super League in 2026 with the club having chances as both an automatic qualifier via IMG, but also through the application process.
After Monday’s meeting in which Super League club owners voted to expand the competition for 2026, the details of that expansion process were explained.
It was confirmed that 12 of the 14 teams will be decided on the IMG gradings, for which Salford ranked 12th after the 2024 season. The 13th and 14th sides will be decided by an application process which will be assessed by a panel led by Lord Jonathan Caine, who was recently elected to the RFL board.
Salford will lose IMG points for performance and should they be deducted points then they will lose even more, whilst some of the Championship clubs are likely to gain points.
As such, the Red Devils could drop out via IMG but they’ll certainly apply to retain their status.
Leigh Leopards’ Derek Beaumont explained that one of the key factors that will be assessed for the possible 13th and 14th teams would be sustainability. Should Salford’s owners prove that funds will be coming then their case to be in Super League next year would become a lot stronger.
Either way, the bold declaration by the owners, as reported by Jon Wilkin, may suggest the money finally is coming. Equally, it could be yet another broken promise which is something that Salford Red Devils’ fans have become all too familiar with in 2025.
Eric T Cat
July 31, 2025 at 11:28 pm
Salford are not sustainable at present! If the owners have miney for 2026 then where is their investment for 2025? They barely putvout a team each week, tonight’s thrashing did nobody any favours. Next week Hull FC will put them to the sword, the week after…etc. The IMG ratings must reflect the financial shenanigans that has ribbed Super League of what had promised to be a highly competitive side before this disaster happened. While it would be a disaster for the players, coach, and fans relegation would be appropriate for the financial mismanagement and the skewing if results. If the fifth and sixth places in the playoffs are determined by loop fixtures unfairly favouring those teams that played Salford three times that that would be grossly unfair, and I’d argue worth a court case.
Anonymous
August 1, 2025 at 4:54 am
This is just BS by the Salford owners.
When will people finally come to thier senses and realise these “owners” are here for one thing only, the land deals. It’s taken them one season to destroy Salford RL club and will take only a matter of weeks to flatten the Community stadium.
Open your eyes and get rid of them before it’s too late!
There’s no place for Salford in next years Superleague.
Emet Ahava
August 2, 2025 at 7:21 am
pi$$off!!
James
August 1, 2025 at 9:05 am
Social media posts have more to do with silly over emotional reactions than credible insight. No one believes the owners any longer. But nor should you believe in a sport that allows this to happen in the way it has. Willie Peters can feel as empty as he likes at the top of SL it means nothing. The sustainability cap and the awful financial state of SRD both contributed to this situation. Salford won’t be in SL next season and are unlikely to still be in existence and after 60 plus years of watching the game I won’t be sorry to see the last of it!
Sabrina Hahn
August 2, 2025 at 7:24 am
you talk UTTER BOLLOX!!!
Watcherzero
August 2, 2025 at 4:50 am
As a Wiganer I share your pain, Latics had two back to back owners who bought the club then didn’t pay players. Thankfully they now have a stable if unambitious owner.
Emet Ahava
August 2, 2025 at 7:23 am
We’ll see, however it is possible that Big Nige has given Salford the nod IF they voted FOR the expansion to 14 clubs.
BRING BACK GREAT BRITAIN LIONS