This really is quite an odd situation.
Now I am going to assume we can be classed as a successful team since 2010 onwards within Super League and I am going to make a complete assumption that IL has seen that success on the field does not indicate any real increase in profit, in fact, quite the opposite. The club on the whole in the last three years has scaled down in nearly every department. I for one am of the opinion Wigan Warriors is never going to be a budget club, I am sure IL must realise that. It is clear that without a much better TV deal for the sport (and all the hoohaa that comes with it) there is not a chance the club will turn a profit or even become self sustaining. Correct me if I am wrong, but does any club in Super League break even or turn a profit?
I know Castleford have rightly established themselves as a very consistent and more impressively entertaining team and I am positively sure there playing salary total is far less than ours at present and without the need for any marquee players, they are very well run indeed and maybe IL has his eyes on that style of set-up here at Wigan? It would explain why little was done to retain high earners like Tomkins, Bateman and if rumours are true, George Williams. No doubt SO'L and TL will be allowed to retire without any hesitation and adding players like Sammut, Hankinson and Bullock whilst retaining Powell and Isa is also a clear indication of the attempt to balance out the squad with a talent to pay ratio.
When I announced on this forum that the club had agreed terms with Joe Greenwood I was scolded (understatement!) by the person that told me, however, he no longer works for the club and at the same time I was informed he told me that Waney had wanted Liam Watts (released by Hull) and Kenny Edwards (available for a fee) signed with immediate effect and was denied and whatever reason he was given (no one, and I mean no one knows other than the people in the board room) was the reason he handed his notice in. The club went on to sign Hankinson mid-season (for a fee!) and agree terms with Zak and Joe Bullock.