Salford Red Devils have to “sell players without delay” after being issued a sustainability cap

Salford Red Devils have been issued with a reduced sustainability cap and ordered to sell players by the Rugby Football League.

The club have been issued a sustainability cap of £1.2 million by the RFL, and will be now prohibited from registering players for the upcoming season until they reach that.

This is a lifeline for the club with the regular sustainability cap for Super League clubs being £2.1million.

The Red Devils were also thrown an additional lifeline, after the Super League stepped in with an advance payment to see the club through “short-term cash flow” problems.

However, since the club have shared: “The terms of receiving the advancement were that the club be placed under ‘special measures’ requiring a reduction in overheads of £800,000.

“We were not given a clear timeline for compliance on required expenditure reductions, therefore the Club took the decision to hold our position for the short-term while investor negotiations are ongoing.

“During this time the Club has received offers for a number of players, none of whom have been available for sale until today.”

The club continued to share in the statement that funds were held by the RL Commercial and payments administered directly from them – and were never given to the club directly.

The Red Devils also shared that the Salford City Council acquisiton of the stadium has caused issue, with one investor negotiation collapsing due to the investment risk of not having any confirmed position.

Club statement.

— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) January 15, 2025

Salford City Council finally announced that it had completed the acquisition of the stadium.

But the club shared: “Given the proximity to the festive period, we have been unable to contact the council to secure an immediate meeting and ascertain next steps in order to maximise Club revenue opportunities.

“As the local authority return from the festive recess, we are hopeful a meeting with the Council takes place sooner rather than later so we can move things forward.”

The club have also criticised the council for their failure to deliver on a subsidy control grant which had initially been suggested in March 2024.

As they said: “In March 24 it was suggested by Salford City Council the Club could receive a subsidy control grant to support Rugby League and the rugby development pathway in the City of Salford and Greater Manchester.

“The Club were notified in July 24 of a delay and again in September 24 with a further delay until November 24, again impacting financial forecasting.

“In November 24, Salford City Council advised that the subsidy control grant was not available due to funding shortfalls elsewhere.”

The club have ensured that they have acted in the best interests of the Club, players, staff and our fans.

As the Red Devils continued: “Our focus remains in working to explore all avenues possible for the long-term stability and success of Salford Red Devils.

“Immediate next steps are to continue the potential takeover process to secure investment as soon as possible, whilst now simultaneously selling players to meet RL Commercial regulations.”

More information about the club statement can be found here.