St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus has backed Bradford and Wigan's bid to prevent the Super League salary cap from being reduced. Leeds and Castleford are thought to be among those favouring a cut from the current level of �1.8m
But Wigan and Bradford are both threatening to take legal action to block such a move.
"We should be looking at setting a minimum spend level instead of reducing the maximum spend," he McManus.
McManus argued that Saints would almost certainly have lost Great Britain stars Paul Sculthorpe, Kieron Cunningham and Sean Long to rugby union had the ceiling been set below the current limit.
"The whole thrust of this debate is misconceived," he said.
"We ought to be closely reviewing how to improve standards and maximise revenues, as well as rationalising unnecessary administrative and bureaucratic costs.
"We should be looking at further incentivising success rather than undercutting it.
"Had the salary ceiling not been set at �1.8m, then it is likely that Paul Sculthorpe, Kieron Cunningham and Sean Long would be playing rugby union by now.
"Those were the highest competitive offers on the table when we locked each of those players up in long-term contracts," he said.
Meanwhile, National League One club Featherstone Rovers have formally come out of administration. The 83-year-old club, who were in administration since November 2002, have reached agreement with their creditors under the terms of a Company Voluntary Arrangement.
"This has been a nightmare 16 months for all concerned in the management of the club," said chairman Glyn Robinson.
"However, we now have a secure financial future based on sound management principals and a lack of debt.
"For the first time in a long period the club is financially stable and has satisfied its debtors," he said
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We should be looking at further incentivising success rather than undercutting it 