Discussion
Looks like it is going the same way as Worcester. Rugby is in crisis here not just a club or two. Poor product, low spectator numbers, messy season with top players pulled from main league then silly comps like anglo welsh.
Unsustainable financially with low gates, low merchandise, big squads and high wages.
Welsh rugby not much better, no away fans for South African games, messy structure and limited support.
What a mess.
Unsustainable financially with low gates, low merchandise, big squads and high wages.
Welsh rugby not much better, no away fans for South African games, messy structure and limited support.
What a mess.
I linked to it the general thread, but Wasps have cancelled the Exeter game on Saturday and it's reported they told the players that the club was in administration as of today.
Wasps have even more debt than Worcester and fewer assets so seems harder for them to come back quickly. Whilst I feel sorry for the supporters & players of both Worcester and Wasps, for me, it's harder to feel bad for Wasps after they ditched the London supporters and screwed over Coventry and Worcester with their move.
The move was a business gamble gone bad, where as Worcester were a stable club, run well, and destroyed by a couple of shysters.
Wasps have even more debt than Worcester and fewer assets so seems harder for them to come back quickly. Whilst I feel sorry for the supporters & players of both Worcester and Wasps, for me, it's harder to feel bad for Wasps after they ditched the London supporters and screwed over Coventry and Worcester with their move.
The move was a business gamble gone bad, where as Worcester were a stable club, run well, and destroyed by a couple of shysters.
jimKRFC said:
I linked to it the general thread, but Wasps have cancelled the Exeter game on Saturday and it's reported they told the players that the club was in administration as of today.
Wasps have even more debt than Worcester and fewer assets so seems harder for them to come back quickly. Whilst I feel sorry for the supporters & players of both Worcester and Wasps, for me, it's harder to feel bad for Wasps after they ditched the London supporters and screwed over Coventry and Worcester with their move.
The move was a business gamble gone bad, where as Worcester were a stable club, run well, and destroyed by a couple of shysters.
I'd agree with this. Wasps have made a series of bad business decisions and a massive gamble with the £35 million bond. Now they can't pay it and the only way out probably is administration. Who in their right mind would come in now and pump money in? They might be a big club as Dallaglio is arguing but they've always seemed to be run badly.Wasps have even more debt than Worcester and fewer assets so seems harder for them to come back quickly. Whilst I feel sorry for the supporters & players of both Worcester and Wasps, for me, it's harder to feel bad for Wasps after they ditched the London supporters and screwed over Coventry and Worcester with their move.
The move was a business gamble gone bad, where as Worcester were a stable club, run well, and destroyed by a couple of shysters.
I feel sorry for the players and staff
Yes I think you're right. We used to go and watch them at Wycombe. The Coventry thing seemed to be working with some big crowds for european games, but clearly not enough. I think the sport as a whole is holed below the water line, there are so many problems and so little money and clear thinking.
Number of things.
1. Scrap the subs. Squads are too big and unaffordable. It is now a match day 23 with another 23 in reserve. That is unaffordable. That will mean fewer injuries. You would never sub a fresh boxer to go in and finish off a tired one. This will all change size and shape of players too.
2. Relax some of the "pro rules" around scrums and rucks. The game is boring now, and turning into american football striving for every inch. Let it flow and make room for the little guys.
3. A smaller league as Nick Baxter has suggested would be better, higher quality more affordable and more big names playing against each other.
4. Better fixtures. The main league, a knock out cup and european stuff. Can the anglo welsh type stuff that no one cares about.
1. Scrap the subs. Squads are too big and unaffordable. It is now a match day 23 with another 23 in reserve. That is unaffordable. That will mean fewer injuries. You would never sub a fresh boxer to go in and finish off a tired one. This will all change size and shape of players too.
2. Relax some of the "pro rules" around scrums and rucks. The game is boring now, and turning into american football striving for every inch. Let it flow and make room for the little guys.
3. A smaller league as Nick Baxter has suggested would be better, higher quality more affordable and more big names playing against each other.
4. Better fixtures. The main league, a knock out cup and european stuff. Can the anglo welsh type stuff that no one cares about.
- maybe have 2 leagues of 6 teams top of from each play each other for premiership champs
- bottom 2 teams play the top two in the lower league for relegation/promotion
- mix the teams in each league randomly for each season
- centrally contracted internationals (other countries seem to make this work...)
- reduction in subs also if a player is injured he's got 2 weeks to recuperate (independent medical examiners)
face facts and realise that rugby may not be sustainable for the majority as a full-time professional job....
- bottom 2 teams play the top two in the lower league for relegation/promotion
- mix the teams in each league randomly for each season
- centrally contracted internationals (other countries seem to make this work...)
- reduction in subs also if a player is injured he's got 2 weeks to recuperate (independent medical examiners)
face facts and realise that rugby may not be sustainable for the majority as a full-time professional job....
The sport isn't as big as it thinks it is - and I think a lot of problems still stem from the move to professionalism.......There needs to be a happy medium between what we have now, and the last days of the amateur era. Cut your cloth accordingly......
The revenue simply isn't there to support massive wages, etc And I wonder how many of these stadium improvements are worth it? How many teams sell out (or close to sell out) every week?
I was a Sale season ticket holder for a few years in the early 00s - and in that time they moved to Edgeley Park; I can't recall it ever being full....whereas the much smaller ground at Heywood Road usually was.
Funnily enough, I've had to make a trip to Waterloo this morning, I recall them in the distant past being a decent team, and at the other end of the M58 Orrell were too.
The revenue simply isn't there to support massive wages, etc And I wonder how many of these stadium improvements are worth it? How many teams sell out (or close to sell out) every week?
I was a Sale season ticket holder for a few years in the early 00s - and in that time they moved to Edgeley Park; I can't recall it ever being full....whereas the much smaller ground at Heywood Road usually was.
Funnily enough, I've had to make a trip to Waterloo this morning, I recall them in the distant past being a decent team, and at the other end of the M58 Orrell were too.
All sensible, small stadia are good, get a real buzz and also a demand as you can't get in. Also, touring sides. Remeber Wales vs Aus back in the campese days. Think it was v Lanelli and the crowd on a Wednesday night was basically all of Wales, climbing trees to get sight of the game.
Premiership rugby doesn't make any money. Never has done, a few clubs make money - Bath, Leicester, Northampton - as they have a loyal fanbase.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/aug/28/prem...
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/aug/28/prem...
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff