The case for keeping Toronto Wolfpack

BY JOHN DAVIDSON

IT’S BEEN a wild ride for Toronto Wolfpack in the past three and half years. From rugby league’s flashy, new sexy thing, from League 1 to Super League, to now in massive debt and on life support.

The survival of the club will be decided in the new week or two. It shapes as a major decision for the sport globally, not only just in the UK and North America.

Here’s my take on why Toronto should be allowed be back into Super League in 2021:

Yes they have done things wrong, and ran the business side of the club badly, but they have done a hell of a lot right as well. They have achieved two promotions in three years, which is a fair feat. They have navigated visa issues and logistical problems from day one, but still managed to perform on the field.

They have garnered positive media attention and many, many headlines through their unique brand identity and their star signings. Capturing Sonny Bill Williams has helped put Super League and North American rugby league on the map. 

It resulted in millions in publicity, and has inspired and captivated many.

Since 2016 the Wolfpack have built a sizable fanbase and a following, not only just in Ontario and Canada, but around the world as well. They possess many fans in England. In Toronto they have converted thousands of people to the 13-man code.

In their first season they averaged 6,992 fans at home games, which is impressive. In 2018 the average was 6,908, last year it went up to 7,882. Who knows how big the attendances would have been in 2020, if Covid-19 hadn’t hit? 

Surely that is worth saving.

Yes they give some tickets away for free, but many other clubs have done this and still not been able to pack their grounds. Toronto have and converted these into followers.

They have also built a tremendous game-day experience, according to the supporters, players, coaches and officials who have visited the Lamport Stadium. They have all raved about it, and can’t be all wrong. 

It’s a party-like atmosphere that is exciting and entertaining. We need more like this.

Binning Toronto now would not only kill off all that growth, all those inroads into the Canadian market, likely forever, but it would also mean all the players, staff, employees and creditors of the Wolfpack would not receive the money they are owed. We are talking about millions of pounds all together, which would be disgraceful.

These people could take David Argyle to court, but their chances of getting their money are very, very small. The only chance for them to get paid is if the club survives and Carlo LiVolsi takes over. This is an important element.

Kicking the club out of Super League also makes no sense when Ottawa Aces are joining the RFL structure next year. Surely having two clubs in Canada would be a big boon, and can build off each other, as opposed to just one.

Are we putting a toe in the Canadian market, or not? 

We can’t be half-pregnant across the pond. If we are going to do it, then keep Toronto, bring in Ottawa and assess properly the next bids that come in, such as New York, Boston or others. It would be counter-productive allowing Ottawa in at the same time as saying bye-bye to Toronto, like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Conquering North America, or even creating a base in Canada, will take time. It may take decades, maybe even 100 years. But rugby league needs to go forward, not retreat.

Super League has stagnated and the English game is struggling. Toronto have been a breath of fresh air.

Rugby league needs to be bold and attack new markets. It needs new fans and additional TV revenue. If the Wolfpack are axed now, you can say goodbye to that city, maybe to the whole country.

Rugby league will be dead in Toronto after this. Fans will be alienated and disillusioned. Rugby union will get bigger in Ontario and take advantage. It’s a sliding doors moment.

All the fans in Canada, the players, the seeds of growth shouldn’t be cast out just because the actions of a cowboy owner and the impact of a global pandemic.

At this crucial juncture, the Wolfpack need a helping hand, not another kick in the balls.

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