SBW and Toronto

[typicalfan]

His profile is worth the money alone, hopefully they make the most out of him

 

[taste2taste]

Stupid signing.
Could get 5 or 6 quality nrl players and fill the rest of the team with solid players for that money and win SL in 1st year.

Super League teams only have a salary cap of £2m ( 3.7m AUD )

Do you think 5 or 6 quality NRL players would take a massive pay cut and go and play for about 200k each ?

Williams would be a 'marque player' essentially meaning Toronto can pay him whatever they want with only 150k counting towards to cap.

Money doesn't seem to be a problem for the Wolfplack and they have to pay that amount to outbid French Union.

 

[Storm13]

Super League teams only have a salary cap of £2m ( 3.7m AUD )

Do you think 5 or 6 quality NRL players would take a massive pay cut and go and play for about 200k each ?

Williams would be a 'marque player' essentially meaning Toronto can pay him whatever they want. Money doesn't seem to be a problem for the Wolfplack and they have to pay that amount to outbid French Union.

He's just comparing the money being reported for SBW compared to how many NRL players could also be bought for the same price. SBW is being offered 4x more than any other League player in the world. That's why it's a stupid signing. Be a good signing if this was a Canadian league being setup.

 

[taste2taste]

He's just comparing the money being reported for SBW compared to how many NRL players could also be bought for the same price. SBW is being offered 4x more than any other League player in the world. That's why it's a stupid signing. Be a good signing if this was a Canadian league being setup.

I'm sure they'd love to sign 5m worth of NRL talent but its not possible under the cap.

The majority of the reported 9m would come out of the marketing budget. Signing Williams and Wade would get plenty of media attention. Getting articles in the print media and prime time news is a far better way to gain awareness than spending 5m on a billboard next to the highway.

The wolfpack could sign all the NRL stars they want but if no ones heard of them it won't sell tickets or get media attention.

In regards to spending the money on a local comp, the owners think 'building the castle and they will come' method works better. It'll be interesting to see if growing the game from the top down works.

 

[typicalfan]

You cannot undersell how much of a success the Wolfpack have been. This is just the beginning though, SBW is a winner, he just is, and his discipline is top class, if that helps build a successful culture then it's a great investment.

 

[Storm13]

You cannot undersell how much of a success the Wolfpack have been. This is just the beginning though, SBW is a winner, he just is, and his discipline is top class, if that helps build a successful culture then it's a great investment.

The only way SBW is a success is if he can convince Union in Canada switch to League. Other than that it will be two years of good exposure but no long term growth. Wolfpack are already selling out their home games, so they need to go bigger if they land SBW.

 

[Storm13]

I'm sure they'd love to sign 5m worth of NRL talent but its not possible under the cap.

The majority of the reported 9m would come out of the marketing budget. Signing Williams and Wade would get plenty of media attention. Getting articles in the print media and prime time news is a far better way to gain awareness than spending 5m on a billboard next to the highway.

The wolfpack could sign all the NRL stars they want but if no ones heard of them it won't sell tickets or get media attention.

In regards to spending the money on a local comp, the owners think 'building the castle and they will come' method works better. It'll be interesting to see if growing the game from the top down works.

I'm comparing what the Wolfpack are saying they are comapring SBW to, which is Beckam. MLS had the advantage of promoting Beckam to their entire league. Wolfpack are only promoting SBW to England and Catalans. They need something else to go with SBW to make it a big success in Canada as a whole. I'm sure Toronto will find it to be exciting but it's the reach beyond that which will be vital.

 

[Getmefood]

I think getting the balance is the key. Having a team capable of winning SL, while also making sure there is a strong & stable local competition, that, long term will produce professional quality players. SBW would no doubt be a huge addition to the Wolfpack & can assist with building the profile of RL in Canada & you would hope they are getting their monies worth.

 

[typicalfan]

The only way SBW is a success is if he can convince Union in Canada switch to League. Other than that it will be two years of good exposure but no long term growth. Wolfpack are already selling out their home games, so they need to go bigger if they land SBW.

SBW will be a draw to land other players that might have thought twice about going and his professionalism will rub off on others.

 

[Foreign Legion]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/sport...l/news-story/2ae79a433743f24f09d546d7a3737876



SonnyBill Williams has reportedly agreed to the richest contract in rugby league and union history, accepting a $10 million deal to return to the 13-man code.

Danny Weidler reported on Nine News Williams had accepted the jaw-dropping, two-year deal with English Super League side the Toronto Wolfpack.

“He’s made his mind up to play for the Toronto Wolfpack who play in the English Super League,” Weidler said. “The deal is stunning — $10m for two years’ work.


“Incredible money.”

#BREAKING:@Danny_Weidlerreveals two MASSIVE Rugby League stories.

Sonny-Bill Williams is heading BACK to Rugby League; and the@sydneyroostershave WITHDRAWN their offer to Latrell Mitchell.#9Newspic.twitter.com/ytGDC3ssxj

— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd)November 5, 2019
Williams played for the All Blacks in the recent Rugby World Cup but will return to the code where he launched his career as a teenager with the Bulldogs in the NRL.

New Zealand lost to England in the semi-finals of the World Cup but defeated Wales in the third-place playoff.

News of the deal comes after Toronto’s head coach Brian McDermott revealed in October his team had received word Williams was interested in joining the team.

The Toronto team is on the lookout for big-name signings following their promotion from the second-tier Championship and were keen on signing the All Blacks star.

The record deal would see Williams earn around four times the wages paid to NRL superstar Daly Cherry-Evans ($10 million over eight seasons) and AFL superstar Lance Franklin ($10 million over nine seasons).

The 34-year-old won the Rugby World Cup with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015 and last played professional rugby league with the Roosters in 2014.


Other rugby league and union teams were rumoured to be in the hunt for Williams’ signature after his contract with New Zealand Rugby ended following the All Blacks’ win over Wales.

Toronto has a competitive advantage over interested rivals of being able to sign Williams as a Super League marquee player where just $300,000 of his salary will be included in the team’s salary cap.

McDermott said recently his team wanted to bring in a David Beckham-type player to do for the Wolfpack what the former Manchester United favourite did for LA Galaxy — and that Williams fits the bill.

“Sonny Bill Williams has shown interest in us and that’s what it is at the moment,” McDermott said last month.

“He’s currently busy with the World Cup so I wouldn’t ever dare to suggest that he is more than interested in coming but the answer wasn’t a ‘no’ once we made contact so that’s something we’d like to follow up.”

The Wolfpack, a Canadian franchise, is funded by Australian mining billionaire David Argyle and will make its debut in the Super League next year after winning promotion by beating Featherstone Rovers.

 

[Dakink]

I so like this move. Going to drag the Wolf pack into the headlines and is the consummate professional as well.

 

[The unknown]

Love him or hate him, this can only be a good thing for the international rugby league scene. Good on him I say

 

[deluded pom?]

I so like this move. Going to drag the Wolf pack into the headlines.

It looks like he’s done that big style already.

 

[adamkungl]

Damn outsiders keep making Super League seem like an interesting professional sports league that might be going places, despite the best efforts of local fans and administrators to keep it as an obscure northern hobby game

 

[kiwileaguefan]

How long will it be before we see professional Canadian rugby players switch?

 

[jim_57]

How long will it be before we see professional Canadian rugby players switch?

Apparently targetting Manu Tuilagi (England RU/Samoan born). Also a former 7's player trialling in the NFL, English from memory, forget the name. Interesting strategy.

 

[taste2taste]

Apparently targetting Manu Tuilagi (England RU/Samoan born). Also a former 7's player trialling in the NFL, English from memory, forget the name. Interesting strategy.

Correct, UK media are reporting Toronto have approached England Union center Tuilagi ( would be an absolute weapon in league ) also Ben Te'o who is currently playing for Toulon and christian Wade who is a former English Union player currently on the Buffalo Bills practice squad, he went viral a few months back by scoring a 65yrd touchdown on his first ever carry.

All 3 of those players would come under 'new talent pool' meaning their salaries don't count towards the salary cap. There is still a spot open on the roster for a second marquee signing.

It'll be interesting to see how deep Toronto's pockets are.

 

[jim_57]

Correct, UK media are reporting Toronto have approached England Union center Tuilagi ( would be an absolute weapon in league ) also Ben Te'o who is currently playing for Toulon and christian Wade who is a former English Union player currently on the Buffalo Bills practice squad, he went viral a few months back by scoring a 65yrd touchdown on his first ever carry.

All 3 of those players would come under 'new talent pool' meaning their salaries don't count towards the salary cap. There is still a spot open on the roster for a second marquee signing.

It'll be interesting to see how deep Toronto's pockets are.

When was the last time a current RU international of one of the stronger teams defected to League? Not counting returning players.

Surprised they haven't targeted Farrell and/or Ford who have famous RL fathers.

 

[taste2taste]

When was the last time a current RU international of one of the stronger teams defected to League? Not counting returning players.

Surprised they haven't targeted Farrell and/or Ford who have famous RL fathers.

You'd probably have to go back to the 80s last time it happened. Johnathan Davies, Ricky Stuart played a few tests for the Wallabies before switching. The NRL poach dozens of Union Schoolboys ( Ponga, Cronk, Murray, Crichton, Moroa, Keary... etc) but never once they are established in Union.

There might be a decent chance of Farrell being targeted. His team have just been found guilty of massive salary cap rorting. They'll have to release some players to fit under the cap.......I'm sure Toronto would be happy to help by taking Farrell off their hands

 

[wain]

not so sure on why they'd go after those other names...Ben Teo is hardly a big name.
I think theyd be better off throwing money at Cronk or Smith.

SBW puts the bums on seats and gets the press.
Cronk or Smith wins them the games.