Toronto Wolfpack owner David Argyle wants lessons to be learned from their withdrawal
DAVID Argyle admits Toronto Wolfpack’s future is out of their hands after they amazingly quit the 2020 Super League season as they fight a meltdown.
But the Canadian club’s owner has told the powers that be to let them know if they will stay in Super League sooner rather than later – and it would be a ‘travesty’ if their success is just thrown away.
He also feels the embarrassment of pulling out, of facing seven overseas players being ordered home because of visa issues and of wages being paid late could turn out to be a GOOD thing for rugby league.
For now both Super League and the Rugby Football League should learn exactly what it takes and what is needed for expansion teams, especially ones in the USA and Canada, to come in.
Argyle, who admitted it was his call to pull out, admitted: “It would be a travesty not to build on what we’ve achieved.
“Let’s get all the issues on the table and find out what it means to have an expansion side in a competitive North American market.
“We’ve got to address expansion teams in the competition, whether that’s in League One, Championship or Super League.
“The governing bodies need to look at how best to move forward. Expansion teams are expensive and time consuming, that needs to be addressed right up front.
“Participation of expansion clubs has to be discussed. Any financial issues, things like central distribution, have to be sorted.
“The NFL has been looking at getting an expansion team in the UK for a long time but they haven’t figured out how to do it yet.
“Toronto has been nothing short of fantastic but if the decision is that it’s not the right time or if things aren’t quite there, let us know now – sooner rather than later.
“Then it gives clarity to people that are with the club. We don’t want to take away opportunities players, coaches or support staff may have in front of them.
“But people in Canada love the sport and there are benefits. Let’s try and assess everything and figure out how we take things forward.
“I made the call but only after talking to financial investors and the on and off-field teams. I didn’t hide in a bubble and say, ‘It’s the right decision to pull out.’”
Toronto, who also withdrew from the last 16 of the Challenge Cup, made the call after players did not turn up for the first day of training because guarantees of when they would receive their last pay packet were not made.
But they have been guaranteed their wages for the remainder of the year, as have refunds for any match and season tickets already bought.
Toronto were meant to play Hull KR on August 2 but Super League will be an 11-team competition for the rest of the year.
The Wolfpack do want to be part of the top flight in 2021 and Argyle says the blame rests on his shoulders – and his only.
He added to SunSport: “Obviously it’s a critical juncture for the club, not playing for the remainder of the season."There are risks to the decision in the form of what if any action Super League will take with regards to our participation in 2021.
“They have to decide if they want Toronto Wolfpack involved going forward and I’d imagine Super League’s decision may come in the near-term.
“It’s their call. It’s challenging times but we’re not going to hide under a rock – it’s a combination of issues that have cascaded together but I take the responsibility, it’s completely with me.”
SunSport also understands players are being offered to other clubs, including ones they have recently signed or have signed for 2021.
Australian Josh McCrone had already headed home while Blake Wallace remains in Canada, where he has been for the whole of the Covid-19 shutdown, as the pressure built.
However, the axing of automatic promotion and relegation between the top tier and the Championship, which will not resume in 2020, may enable Brian McDermott’s men to start afresh in Super League in 2021.
Sunday saw Martin Vickers’ appointment as director of Toronto’s UK arm terminated but he is still working for the club.
A ‘very disappointed’ Super League and RFL warned the consequences for Toronto’s decision could be huge, after they were assured as recently as Thursday they will be OK.
They said: “The club’s decision is especially disappointing given the imminent restart of the season.
“A discussion around the longer term consequences and the future of the Wolfpack in Super League will commence shortly.”
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