 The current salary cap is currently set at �1.65m |
Super League clubs decided on Wednesday to maintain the salary cap at £1.65m for the third consecutive season. The decision was taken at the mid-season meeting of representatives from the 14 top-flight clubs in Hull. Under current regulations, teams cannot spend more than £1.65m before prize money payments to their top 25 earners. The Super League outfits also decide to keep the annual 'Magic Weekend' event, but they have not yet decided on a venue for the 2011 season or a date. A change looks likely after the attendance for this year's two-day event in Edinburgh fell to just 52,043.  | 606: DEBATE |
That compares to 58,831 and 63,144 for the first two years at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in 2007 and 2008 and 59,749 for the first Murrayfield Magic in 2009. Clubs are thought to be considering a return to the Millennium Stadium, although experimenting with a completely new venue has not been ruled out. Super League teams are also considering a change of date from the May Day bank holiday weekend in a bid to boost crowds. A move to the Spring bank holiday weekend is favourite but consideration may be given to England captain Jamie Peacock's call to use the event as a blockbusting start to the season. "The Engage Super League clubs were apprised of a number of proposals regarding the future of Magic Weekend and have asked the executive for more information before they make a final decision," said Rugby Football League chairman Richard Lewis. "The executive was charged with continuing with the negotiations and discussions that have been ongoing for some months with a view to the Engage Super League clubs reaching a decision on the Magic Weekend by the end of July. | You're definitely going to see more players go out there (Australia) |
"We were very encouraged by the reaction to Magic Weekend 2010, both before and after Edinburgh, but the future of the event rests with the clubs themselves." The salary cap has come under some criticism recently with Peacock voicing his concerns that it could lead to an exodus of British players to the higher-paid Australian rugby league. "The pound is much weaker now against the Aussie dollar. Their salary cap is going up while ours stays the same," Leeds Rhinos star Peacock told the Guardian. "It's something the game needs to watch out for over here. "You're definitely going to see more players go out there and it could be detrimental to the strength of Super League - if not necessarily to the England team." Meanwhile, clubs are also considering proposals to develop and expand a Nines competition across the sport.
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