Quote: Jake the Peg "I see wire have signed blake austin on a reported £300k+ a year. saints have barba as a marquee player, wigan have 2 in tomkins and williams, leeds are an undoubted financial powerhouse (although uncle gary seems more intent on spending on the stadium than players but I expect that to change) but can we compete?
The lack of our own stadium and the lack of ability for us to generate much non match day and match day income leaves us behind clubs like saints, leeds and wire financially so what do we do? If we're run as a club who need to break even at worst then how do we generate enough to compete for top players or do we just accept we can't? For me, I would love to see a real star of the game in the B&W but I don't want to see the club at risk so unless things change with ownership of the stadium or the club I can't see it happening'"
Got to pick you up on a couple of things here. I'll use Leeds as an example.
The lack of our own Stadium - largely irrelevant to be honest. The maintenance cost / replacement cost alone make this more of a burden then a real asset.
Leeds Rhinos do not own Headingley and share it with the RU club. Its owned by YCCC.
Match day income usually correlated with bums on seats. Sadly, I am not sure what the missing FC fans want after 2 wembley wins, there are still around 2000 missing home fans from around 2010 / 2011 - when were were really poor and the recession had bitten hard.
Leeds have 4 large rooms which they use for corproate guests for meals / drinks pre & post game. Each of these room has approx 150-200 guests in. Work on the basis of £100 income per head (concervative est having seen personally how much some will then plough behind the bar / raffles / draws etc). There is an additional £60k per game.
Leeds also have a significant sponsor in the Leeds Building Society as well as a wealthy owner.
Given our merchanide sales are what they are, I am supprised you think we lack in non matchday income. So good are Hull at Generating sales of this nature, Leeds actually head hunter their commercial retain manager a few years ago (not sure if he is still there?)
Large profile sponsor, more corporate tables and more fans coming back throught the turnstyles.
Thats the answer.
