Wigan to contest salary cap
proposals

Wigan today announced that they were joining Bradford Bulls by giving notice that they would contest any lowering of the Salary Cap.

Both Chairman, Maurice Lindsay and major Shareholder, David Whelan, have pledged to support Bradford Bulls in any legal action that might be necessary to prevent a lowering of the Salary Cap from it's present ?1.8million.

Wigan Chairman, Maurice Lindsay said " We believe that Super League has gone from strength to strength each season as evidenced by the 65,000 attendance at our Grand Final at the end of last season. Why should we be trying to invest less in our sport when all the signs are there that we should be investing more in players and player production? That is certainly proving to be a successful policy for Rugby Union. All the Super League clubs are looking for more money from television and sponsorship contracts but at the same time, some want to invest less in the players. We object to that".

Wigan Director and major shareholder, David Whelan said " We have watched the investment in players come down each year and whilst we are not seeking an increase on the ?1.8million, we think it would be business folly to invest less than that sum as some clubs are suggesting. We agree with Bradford that this must be resisted at all costs and through the courts if necessary. It seems that some clubs who are incapable of any success are the ones who want to bring down more successful clubs by stopping them from signing exciting players for the Super League competition. That is bad business and only leads to mediocrity. We hope that other successful or ambitious clubs will support \\ Bradford and Wigan in resisting any lowering of the salary cap which we believe would be disastrous for the game".

Lindsay concluded "The Wigan club have a long and proud history of providing international players to the British game for the benefit of the game as a whole. For that to continue, we must not bow to the move by poorly performing clubs whose only contribution is to constantly cut payments to players. We do not think that that is good for the game's future".