Leeds Rhinos • Financial distress across the game
The Ghost of '99 wrote:
The Ghost of '99 wrote:
Huddersfield, despite large % growth in support since being in SL, we all know don't get huge crowds and are totally reliant on Davy's money.
Wigan just seem to be very badly run and have seen declining attendances and apparently interest for a long time now. Their corporate support seems tepid too; it's a minor thing maybe but the revolving door of shirt sponsors, a new one seemingly every other year, suggests to me that they simply don't offer the sort of quality partnership that businesses are looking for. The problem there lies inside the club. Obviously being tenants at someone else's ground doesn't help but that's not the whole story. It is a major disadvantage though and, unlike Leeds, St Helens and Warrington, they have few alternative income streams or assets to fall back on.
Wigan just seem to be very badly run and have seen declining attendances and apparently interest for a long time now. Their corporate support seems tepid too; it's a minor thing maybe but the revolving door of shirt sponsors, a new one seemingly every other year, suggests to me that they simply don't offer the sort of quality partnership that businesses are looking for. The problem there lies inside the club. Obviously being tenants at someone else's ground doesn't help but that's not the whole story. It is a major disadvantage though and, unlike Leeds, St Helens and Warrington, they have few alternative income streams or assets to fall back on.
I think this is a slightly unbalanced view. Wigan face challenges like the majority of clubs and have certainly made mistakes over the last few years which the leadership have acknowledged. However the 2022 average attendance was up 7% on the 2019 figure. There is a much greater emphasis on forging community links under Matty Peet. The club have brought in Mike Danson as a minority shareholder who has a net worth of between £1.2-£1.4 billion. Merchandise sales are well up due to the new partnership with Hummell. Robin Park has been a big success with regular fan events and a permanent base for the club shop. There are advantages to renting the stadium, particularly given the cost of energy and upkeep. Still work to do but not all doom and gloom.
Statistics: Posted by MadDogg — Mon Jan 02, 2023 10:49 am — Replies 7 — Views 1482