Super League salary cap to increase

Super League clubs have agreed an increase to the salary cap level to £2.1m by 2020, as well as increasing the number of marquee players to two.

A number of proposals were presented by the RFL and accepted, which will mean the salary cap initially rises to £1.9m in 2018, £2m in 2019 and £2.1m in 2020.

In addition to the proposed Salary Cap rise, clubs voted to increase the number of marquee players permitted at each Super League club from one to two and have backed proposals that provide clubs with exemptions from the Salary Cap when bringing new or returning players to the sport.

The final proposal voted for by Super League clubs would see exemptions to the Salary Cap for certain players under 21 years old.

The Rugby Football League Board will now consider the proposals at a Board Meeting in Manchester tomorrow (Thursday 6th April) and, if approved, the new regulations will come into force from the start of the 2018 Betfred Super League season.

Speaking following the meeting, Rugby Football League Chief Commercial Officer & Super League Executive Director, Roger Draper, said: “We have had a fantastic start to the 2017 Betfred Super League season with some incredible action on the field.

“Attendances and viewing figures are up on last year and the decision to support the proposals today is another significant positive result for the Super League.

“The clubs asked the Rugby Football League to put forward a set of proposals that would help them retain and attract the best players to the competition and we believe that when you consider all the them together, these changes could make a significant difference to helping clubs attract and retain the best talent in this league and that is something we all are determined to do going forward.”