Two Super League clubs unable to spend full salary cap in 2024

Whilst Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors splash the cash, other clubs are struggling to maintain the same player budget as last year.

This is likely due to the reduction in central funding sparked by the loss of some TV funding in a reduced TV deal for next year and beyond.

Castleford Tigers and Salford Red Devils are both clubs who are set to reduce their spending on the playing squad.

Castleford’s Head of Rugby and Development, Danny Wilson, explained on COYF Podcast:

“At the minute there would be money held back from the playing budget, hopefully we get more investment in.

“The TV money is smaller, fans are massively important to revenue. The impact of that TV money, in order to run a sustainable club, holding some back is the way the club want to go.

“You can spend the full cap, we spent it this year in a relegation battle but spending cap doesn’t mean you will win every week. As long as you manage it well, there is no reason why you can’t have a good crack.

“There is a plan, there is a mindset we need to form at Castleford.”

As for Salford, the departures of Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers can be chalked up to the lack of central distribution money, but that is only the tip of the iceberg with Director Paul King revealing that the club wouldn’t be spending the full cap either showing the impact of reduced TV money on some clubs.

Back to Castleford, and as the club are set to rebuild ahead of 2024, they are set for a number of exits and some have already been confirmed such as the departure of Kieran Hudson. He is set to join Leeds Rhinos and Wilson had his say on this as well.

He said: “Lee Radford identified him and got him over, we had to agree to a friendly to take Kieran early which we did. He spent that time with us. Pre-season he ripped it up and came back, he was in incredible shape and we were thinking he could play ten Super League games this year. We heard a snap and he was on the floor.

“It was a terrible time, he has been with us all year, we have rehabbed him and he is excited for the future. There was a point where we sat down with him and expressed that another club had come in from him. We matched the offer and he chose to go.

“I think he has got family connections with Leeds. We want people that want to play for Castleford Tigers.”