
The RFL has instructed Salford to sell players in an effort to save almost £800,000, Rhinos are now spearheading a fresh attempt to let teams that have previously used up their entire salary cap to hire from the Manchester team.
While on a family vacation in Australia, Rhinos CEO Gary Hetherington has participated in Super League talks regarding the Salford situation.
In an interview with The Yorkshire Evening Post, he stated that while he hopes a takeover can be finalized to address their financial issues, a wage ceiling dispensation will be required if not.
Leeds will discuss potential solutions at a meeting on Wednesday.
“The RFL, who have effectively taken control of Salford, sent a resolution to Super League clubs last week that would have essentially given everyone permission [to sign Salford players,” Hetherington stated.
Dispensation would have allowed clubs that have already spent up, such as Leeds, Warrington, Wigan, and St Helens, to recruit a player from Salford, but it is not necessary if your club has not used up its wage cap allotment.
“In doing so, it increases Salford’s chances of survival because it means they can offload some players, get transfer fees and offload the wages. That proposal was defeated, voted down.
This week, the clubs will meet together once more to discuss the Salford situation.
We have changed the idea to state that Salford players should be signed first by clubs with excess wage cap capacity.
A window of perhaps a few weeks should be given for that to occur. If Salford still needs to acquire players after that time, then all clubs should be allowed to sign one Salford player for 2025 only.
In a lot of respects, that goes against what we’ve been saying, which is that we need to cut costs more rather than raise spending because maintaining Salford’s financial stability is our top goal.
If dispensation was given, Leeds might target Kallum Watkins, the former captain of the Rhinos. “Clubs are saying it is a totally self-inflicted situation – they have over-spent without having the income to support that spending,” Hetherington said, acknowledging that there is “very strong feeling on this subject.”
Other clubs, like Castleford last year, have had to manage as best they could in the past; they have managed to stay viable by not going over budget. Salford ought to have followed suit.

“There are some clubs that don’t feel sorry for them, but ultimately, it’s crucial that we all do everything in our power to keep Salford afloat for the sake of the competition, the game, and everything that surrounds it.”
Salford, who will host Leeds on Saturday, February 22, in their first home game of the season, is hoping to execute a takeover that would eliminate the need to sell players. Hetherington emphasized: “The best course of action is if they find new owners who wish to keep the team they currently have and who can support Salford financially for the remainder of the season.”