Wigan Warriors CEO concedes ‘challenges’ face English rugby league

Wigan Warriors might not be atop Super League after Hull KR’s win over Warrington Wolves but the Cherry and Whites remain the premier team in the country and hold all four trophies, in part thanks to chief executive officer Kris Radlinski.

Radlinski has overseen Wigan’s ascent to the top of the game with the former full-back only taking the job in 2023 but since then the club have lifted every piece of silverware available to them.

He’s now overseen and made happen the groundbreaking game in Las Vegas between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, highlighting just how influential he is.

That game could do wonders for Super League but should it be on one club’s CEO to enhance the entire competition when sports marketing agency IMG are being paid to “strategically re-position the sport to maximise its commercial potential for long-term growth, build deeper relationships with fans and attract new audiences”. Perhaps not.

Radlinski had previously described the work of IMG as “slow progress” but he has now spoken on the state of the game in England when appearing as a guest on BBC Sports’ 5 Live Rugby League podcast.

Wigan Warriors CEO on the future of Rugby League

Asked about the state of the game in England and how he foresees it in the next five to ten years, Radlinski was honest in his assessment.

“We’ve got some challenges, but I think when we see it played the way we know it can be played, there’s no sport like it. The endeavour that our players show each week is phenomenal. So I believe in the sport but I believe we’ve got to do a few things differently.

“Whilst my job here in Wigan is to make this club as good as it can be, I’m also talking to other Super League clubs and the Rugby League Commercial and the RFL about how we’ve all got a role to play in getting better.”

He also acknowledged that the crunch time for IMG could come in the next year as gradings take effect for the 2025 Super League season with Wigan Warriors set to be one of seven or more Grade A clubs.

Radlinski explained: “I think everybody knows it’s an important time in our history. We’re two and a half years now into a programme with IMG. We’ll get to a stage where we’ll assess how that partnership is going and we’ll see what we do next.

“At the end of this year, it’s the first year of grading and we’ll see what’s happened there. It’s clear that many clubs have upgraded and raised their standards on a number of things and as long as we keep doing that and players keep producing, then I do believe we’ve got a strong future.

“But we’ve got to be brave enough I believe just to put your head above the parapet every now and then and try something different. I think every club is recognising that, so I’m optimistic is the answer.”

With Wigan Warriors taking Super League on the road then perhaps the future is bright but whether the same can be said about rugby league below the top flight under IMG is unclear.