6 Premiership clubs - including Saracens - confirm lockdown pay cuts
Squads at six of the Gallagher Premiership’s dozen clubs have agreed a 25 per cent wage cut following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic that has brought the 2019/20 season to a standstill.
Premiership officials have confirmed a minimum five-week fixtures suspension and it has led to Bristol, Wasps, Gloucester, Worcester, Leicester and Saracens confirming they have taken drastic action to combat the sudden stop of matchday revenues flowing through the game.
Freddie Burns takes RugbyPass through his fitness regime during the coronavirus lockdown
Bath have also confirmed they will have further meetings next week with their players about mirroring the tough choices taken elsewhere in an effort to stop finances falling too much into the red in these unprecedented times for the sport around the world.
Other than Exeter Chiefs, all of the participating Premiership clubs habitually report a financial loss at the end of a season. In the most recent set of accounts filed at Companies House in April 2019, nearly £50million was collectively lost between the 13 clubs, a figure that included London Irish who had been relegated to the Championship.
Exeter had increased turnover by more than £3m and recorded a profit of £533,000, but champions Saracens, in sharp contrast, had lost nearly £4m. With rugby now halted eleven months on from the publication of those worrying numbers, worried Premiership clubs have now asked their players to take a hefty pay cut.
Here, RugbyPass summarises the various statements released by each of the clubs who have opted to cut their bills for the coming month at least:
BRISTOL BEARS
CEO Mark Tainton posted an open letter on the Bristol website confirming their intention to cut their cloth during the coronavirus layoff. “We are facing some extremely tough financial challenges during these unprecedented times,” he explained.
“This fast-developing global situation affects all of us; our friends, family, jobs and financial security, Bristol Bears is no different. Without matchday revenue and central funding from Premiership Rugby, the club have had to take some very difficult decisions to ensure the future security of the Bears and the competition.
“Our industry has been impacted significantly by the economic downturn and we have been given no choice but to take action. Therefore, we regret to announce that from April 1, players and staff will receive a reduction in salary during this unprecedented period without competitive rugby.
“Pat Lam and I spoke to all the players and staff via video link on Friday to communicate this difficult message and answer any questions. The team recognise the pressures and concerns that our community is feeling.
“There are still uncertain times to come, but the most important thing is that we stick together as a collective and remain connected in our Bears culture that we have worked so tirelessly to build. Our commitment to training hard individually, preparing diligently and supporting community projects doesn’t change.”
An open letter from CEO Mark Tainton.
— Bristol Bears ? (@BristolBears) March 20, 2020
WASPS
In an open letter to fans, CEO Stephen Vaughan explained the cutbacks that were happening at the club. “We are living through extraordinary times and none of us can predict the future or speculate when the current situation will end.
“With this in mind, we need to take some extremely difficult and significant action to reduce costs immediately so we can resume doing what we love when this is all over. The impact of these decisions is going to be felt across the whole business.
“Having discussed this situation at length with my colleagues from across the league, as well as Premiership Rugby, we are putting in place salary reductions of 25 per cent across the majority of the rugby department until we are playing Gallagher Premiership matches again. These measures will take effect from April 1. A number of lower-paid staff will be excluded from these salary reductions.
“I spoke with Lee Blackett and senior members of the playing squad Thursday night, and we then communicated this message to the wider team and colleagues. I could not be more proud of their response, understanding and determination to help the club in such testing times.
“These are extraordinary times which call for extraordinary and robust measures. We do not know with any certainty how long these reductions will be in place, but we will review the situation on an ongoing basis and continue to keep the entire Wasps family up to date with developments.”
An open letter to fans, partners, staff and community from our CEO.
? https://t.co/DgdGgmWPsd pic.twitter.com/xMvjM8ahF5
— Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) March 20, 2020
GLOUCESTER
CEO Lance Bradley issued a letter outlining what measures have been taken at Kingsholm to tackle the crisis. “This is a fast-moving situation and we are all having to adjust our plans on a regular basis,” he wrote. “Like many businesses, this is difficult for Gloucester as income from matchdays, tickets, club memberships, conference and events and sponsors is critical for the club.
“In terms of staff, we are still working hard and doing our best to stay safe and healthy and follow all Government guidance. Our staff are in the position where the majority can work remotely, and we have taken the difficult decision to close Kingsholm Stadium and our conference and events facilities until April 20.
“We have also implemented a 25 per cent salary reduction across everyone at the club in order to see us through this incredibly challenging time… we will be back as a team with a vengeance as soon as we can!”
Following the announcement earlier this week regarding the postponement of the next four rounds of the Gallagher Premiership as well as Premiership Rugby Shield and Tyrrells Premier 15s matches, we wanted to further update our fans. https://t.co/phIKwjaBjk pic.twitter.com/0DdTsLyttq
— Gloucester Rugby ? (@gloucesterrugby) March 20, 2020
WORCESTER WARRIORS
Warriors issued a general statement detailing their measures. “Like many other businesses in the country, Worcester are having to deal with circumstances that are unprecedented in peacetime,” read their statement.
“Among the measures we have put in place is a temporary lockdown of Sixways during the five-week period that matches played under the auspices of Premiership Rugby are postponed. That clearly presents challenges for the running of the business, in particular cash-flow.
It is important that we make decisions now to ensure that, when we emerge from this dreadful crisis, we still have a sustainable rugby club… in the short-term, all our staff will take a 25 per cent pay cut effective from April 1.
“The 25 per cent reduction will not apply to staff below a certain salary threshold to ensure they are protected. We have offered as much support as we can to any member of staff who may suffer particular hardship as a consequence.
“We appreciate this is not an ideal situation for anyone but we hope that with the support of our loyal and dedicated staff in these difficult and challenging times that we can manage our way through this period.”
Club Statement | #TogetherWarriors
? https://t.co/hBxxkOlGOH pic.twitter.com/yLUi1W8LAK
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) March 20, 2020
LEICESTER TIGERS
Chairman Peter Tom provided an update on how Tigers will cope with the suspension of the Premiership. “The club’s business model is underpinned by strong commercial partnerships, but unprecedented circumstances mean that all revenue streams are being seriously affected and we need to make major decisions on how we address this significant deficit,” he outlined.
“The loss of income from ticket sales and other matchday activities costs the club a figure of between £300,000 and £400,000 per home game; taking lost revenues beyond £1million solely for this period in March-April when three home games have already been postponed.
“Faced with a situation where we cannot generate income from rugby activities while still having our own costs to meet, regrettably the board believes it is necessary to reduce both working hours and salaries by 25 per cent for all staff and players with effect from April 1.
“We will work closely to find solutions where this decision causes exceptional hardship for any staff member. The players and staff remain at the heart of the club and this is an extremely difficult decision to make, but it is felt this is the only appropriate course of action available to protect the current workforce and maintain the strength of our club for the longer term.”
?
Executive Chairman, Peter Tom CBE has issued a statement on behalf of the club, relating to Leicester Tigers operations during the Coronavirus situation.
See it here ?? https://t.co/Vac3GSZEtP
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) March 20, 2020
SARACENS
The defending champions, who accepted automatic relegation in January due to repeated salary cap breaches, issued a statement to clarify their current salary situation. “With the recent announcements that all rugby activity has been postponed and the cancellation of social gatherings and events for the foreseeable future, our club finds itself in a critical position.
“There will be a very significant drop in revenue and it is an unsustainable situation. We have asked all our players, coaches and staff across the whole organisation to support us in a reduction in salary by 25 per cent.
“This move is to protect as many jobs as possible and avoid redundancies. We will keep this situation under review at all times and we anticipate that the pay cut will last until fixtures are re-scheduled and revenue-generating activity can begin again in earnest. Our lower-paid staff have been protected from this pay cut.
“This decision has not been taken lightly by the board and as we understand it every rugby club across the country is feeling the same pain.”
Club Statement.#TogetherSaracens
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) March 20, 2020
BATH
CEO Tarquin McDonald explained that cuts haven’t yet been implemented but they are likely next week. “The impact of this pandemic clearly reaches well beyond our sport, and will have a lasting effect on every one of us,” he wrote in a letter to supporters.
“In line with the actions taken by other Premiership Clubs, we find ourselves having to make difficult decisions that can help safeguard the stability of our club and the game in these testing times.
“We are engaged in ongoing conversations with players and staff, and this will continue into the early part of next week. Tough choices will have to be made and actions taken. However, we are quite rightly focused on how we best look after our people and our players so that when we all emerge from this crisis, which we will.
An open letter from our Chief Executive, Tarquin McDonald
— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) March 20, 2020
“In terms of our people, all of our playing, support and corporate staff are navigating uncharted waters as we adapt our training and working conditions to the latest government and sports governing body advice.
“All of our staff have been amazing in this respect and we have instigated home training programmes for players, with a skeleton staff now working at the Rec as most of our staff base themselves at home.
“As we settle onto the new routine of ‘coronavirus life’, rest assured we are reviewing new ways of working and how we can communicate and engage as we all work through these strange and unprecedented times.”
WATCH: Jim Hamilton is joined on The Lockdown by Ian McKinley to discuss the effects the coronavirus outbreak is having on the everyday life of a player living in Italy
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
80 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments