The criticism isn't that larger offers from blue chip companies have been turned down in favour of this deal, it's that the Wigan RL brand should be able to attract the best deal possible from more notable sponsors, especially the year after we have just done the double. Nobody knows how much this deal is worth or what other offers were on the table, but on the face of it not enough has been done behind the scenes to attract sponsorship. It's also not the first time it's happened (the 2010 replicas being released without a sponsor because the deal with Mecca bingo hadn't been sorted, for example).

If something wasn't hard to do it wouldn't be worth doing. I am sure emirates didn't just turn up at warrington and said we want to sponsor you, it would of been a lot of hard work to get the right appointments and pitched hard. It just smacks some fans obviously as being a little bit lazy and not capitalizing on a fantastic brand.

The situation's quite simple ... anyone comes on here and takes the mickey out of Wigan RL is going to get short shrift from me, even if they are Wigan fans.

I find it hilarious that someone is moaning about being bullied when those who tried to stay positive during leaner times were given all kinds of stick by the professional whinge merchants. I was accused of being everything from a happy clapper to Ian Lenagan's wife because I wasn't calling for the heads of people who have subsequently gone on to win us trophies. One clown even went batsh7t because, after he accused the club chairman of theft, I had the nerve to single him out for criticism.

The behaviour of some Wigan fans on message boards is frankly embarrassing. Why they are surprised when people express annoyance with them is baffling.

Embarrassing? This thread or in general?

Case in point, riding to Cruncher's defence like the self appointed forum police that you think you are. Adios for a while, methinks.

Oh the irony...

Have to agree. Houses for Homes doesn't really scream double-winning world famous team does it?

I'm not a Wigan fan but I am interested in the business side of RL.

The amount of negativity on this thread is astounding, and tbh if I had my own company I would steer well clear of RL clubs as their fans are never happy with anything.

On your point, this is why it's not worth discussing with many RL fans as they deal in fantasy. Why are you sure Paddypower would sponsor Wigan?

You have basically just picked a company out of thin air and said they would sponsor Wigan.

On the comparisons with my club Warrington, it is worth noting that last year we had a local company sponsoring us - there is absolutely a place for local sponsors and national sponsors.

Paddypower will literally sponsor anything as will most online betting companies, I'm using paddypower as an example. Like Rads says in his book why not take a hit and have Nike make the shirts or Playstation sponsor the Superleague.

At the me of the day RL needs to build on the success of the WC and to do that it needs to look attractive to the heathen, with big sponsors it would help somewhat.

Or Stobarts?
I mean they're a national company so why not take a hit just so we can have them sponsoring us?

PS

As with the kit threads that will inevitably star soon I think some people are more worried about being "embarrassed" by fans of other clubs than anything to do with the commercials etc behind it.
As with the "pink" kit, I couldn't care less if we played in tu-tus and ballet shoes with Leigh cat and dogs home on the front as long as we're winning and the clubs getting stronger.

PPS (with happy clapper alert).

I can't seriously believe anyone is knocking our marketing teams with record crowds and A Profitable club in these difficult financial times?

Yes.

I am convinced we could of attracted a bigger name but I do know that this deal will benefit the local community more than if we had gone for a more well known name and that is more important to the borough and in particular the deprived communities that will benefit.

Wonder how 'Paddypower' would help local communities?

Oh yeh cos estate agents are so well known for their generosity and community spirit aren't they!

Whereas Nike and Coca Cola just pee money up the wall like it's going out of fashion of course. That's how they got so big, a none-aggressive commercial culture

In this case yes they are!

In fact many housing organisations do tremendous work for local deprived communities including educational programmes and funding for community projects.