We Need To Talk About Wasps

[Vieux Talonneur]

Which is an echo of (part of) this crisis in the first place.
Covid took fans out of stadiums, and broke their habit of buying tickets, and reserving Saturdays for rugby. Fans who, due to circumstances, haven't been to a club, and have to take time away from the game that becomes permanent.

Yeah. I think that's the straw that broke the camel's back but the camel had been hobbling around for a long time.

More generally, hardcore supporters will do their best to attend regardless, but some of those will be impacted by the financial climate. As disposable income drops for many, it feels like clubs will really have a battle on their hands to attract the more casual visitors.

Last time I went to Sarries I paid £65 for admittedly a pretty good seat but I don't think there was much under £45. What are prices like elsewhere?

 

[will311293]

The thing also is, clubs will be looking at those top players from Wasps, Wuss etc and start re-forecasting i'd imagine. Suddenly you have 40-50 + players on the market? Realistically also this will effect every club, suddenly the club men that some clubs have will be without a job. People are going to be scrapping to get the likes of Launchbury, Koch, Robson, Willis x 2, Barbeary, Ted Hill, C Atkinson etc. and more players from other clubs will fall at the way side.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Way less than 100%, given that several people disagree, and value quality over quantity - it just needs to be thought through with a properly planned restructuring, not an enforced reflex to disaster.

Two less games per season wuld be around £600k less revenue per season. Changing a proper premiership game with a glorified friendly won't bring in the same crowds. So yes it will financially hit the clubs. People want more better quantity games and any teams vs wasps or Worcester would be better attended and better to watch than a friendly.

The problem is dropping two teams almost forces the clubs to find another two pointless games as they have been used to the revenue. While I agree quality over quantity, the clubs don't have that view which is why we end up with games going on while the internationals are on.

They said on rugby tonight that there are 5 fully professional championship teams. If they added Worcester and wasps and got a tv deal with a promotion relegation two tier system (and a few other tweaks) I think it would make sense. But alas we will just see filler games of poor quality to make up the fixtures no doubt.

 

[Which Tyler]

Two less games per season wuld be around £600k less revenue per season. Changing a proper premiership game with a glorified friendly won't bring in the same crowds. So yes it will financially hit the clubs. People want more better quantity games and any teams vs wasps or Worcester would be better attended and better to watch than a friendly.

The problem is dropping two teams almost forces the clubs to find another two pointless games as they have been used to the revenue. While I agree quality over quantity, the clubs don't have that view which is why we end up with games going on while the internationals are on.

They said on rugby tonight that there are 5 fully professional championship teams. If they added Worcester and wasps and got a tv deal with a promotion relegation two tier system (and a few other tweaks) I think it would make sense. But alas we will just see filler games of poor quality to make up the fixtures no doubt.

Again, based on assumptions - assumptions that not everyone agrees with.

100% means everyone.
Not everyone means <100%

 

[Scotty]

The thing also is, clubs will be looking at those top players from Wasps, Wuss etc and start re-forecasting i'd imagine. Suddenly you have 40-50 + players on the market? Realistically also this will effect every club, suddenly the club men that some clubs have will be without a job. People are going to be scrapping to get the likes of Launchbury, Koch, Robson, Willis x 2, Barbeary, Ted Hill, C Atkinson etc. and more players from other clubs will fall at the way side.

C Atkinson and Will Haydon-Wood are to young talented FH definatly worth a shot on for most clubs. Jack Willis breaking back into England with his form and this happens i hope he gets snapped up soon.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Again, based on assumptions - assumptions that not everyone agrees with.

100% means everyone.
Not everyone means <100%

I love the fact that instead of discussing the topic you are just picking at the detail. Loss of revenue is a fact, lower attendances at non prem games is also a fact. So this will hurt the clubs direct revenue negatively without those two home games.

Now cheer up you old fruit.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

just re the idea of dropping the comp down to 10 and the "quality over quantity" argument

We've had exactly that in NZ over the last 10 years or so, firstly with the NPC when they dropped it from 14 down to two comps of 7 and then with super rugby since COVID with Super Rugby Aotearoa supposed to be great with just exciting local derbies

The reality in my experience, fans become bored with playing the same teams more often (also see the Rugby Championship), teams that were mid table are now bottom and so loosing more games, both things make people loose interest

Higher "quality" also leads to more injuries as there are no "easy games" just hard slogs every week

Once again...purely my experience...but i hear more and more people loosing interest in the small top quality comps and must preferring local club rugby, might be lower in quality but more relatable

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

RFU and Premiership to face DCMS inquiry as Wasps confirm redundancies

The RFU and Premiership Rugby will face a parliamentary inquiry over the state of the domestic game after Wasps joined Worcester in administration

www.theguardian.com

it's official

 

[Which Tyler]

****!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Last Wednesday, the last time the gates were open for them, all staff were warned there were no guarantees over whether they would be paid October's wages. Now they have been told they must seek a new club.

Can't imagine how they're feeling - 167 staff is brutal,
Apparently it's taken out Wasps netball side as well

 

[Geordie]

Anything in this bar the obvious that lack of home games are an issue?

Leicester take £700,000 hit after being dragged into English club rugby crisis

Premiership champions left without a home game for SEVEN weeks after Wasps follow Worcester into administration

www.mirror.co.uk

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I saw that Northampton are filling one of their empty weekends with a Barbarians game,
Imagine Leicester are scrabbling to try and put something on but it's very short notice

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

still time to ask blink to fill another stadium date

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Anything in this bar the obvious that lack of home games are an issue?

You'd hope insurance would cover cancelled fixtures.

I saw that Northampton are filling one of their empty weekends with a Barbarians game,
Imagine Leicester are scrabbling to try and put something on but it's very short notice

It is. But something like a Wasps / Wuss Baa Baas to showcase those players yet to land a new club would seem apt if insurances etc can be arranged.

 

[will311293]

Heartbroken still doesn't sum it up. Conversations now about whether we can recover, with no offer coming from anyone else they get the mysterious P share. Its horrible thinking our players and staff will be picked over by other clubs but as long as they all find a new home, ill be happy.

Best hopes now is to go to Championship but who knows if that will happen.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

The sad thing is how much smoke Wasps top dogs blew down to their supporters.
The constant it's alright don't worry

Signing one of the best TH's in world rugby when they didn't have the money etc

 

[will311293]

I completely agree with above and although Steve Vaughan says a number of pieces of bad luck fell (HMRC calling in and HSBC giving up/reneging on the refinancing) but huge mistakes were made,

However, although this is incredibly sad for Wasps, we have to remember that our staff and players will find new clubs and we will support them. The club will eventually be reborn and rise. As long as the fans don't abandon the club, we have the power to find and drive the club forward again. I'm confident with the fan base we have and the huge amount of passionate people i have seen, our future is bright.

Until we are back (and win the Prem again eventually), I will Be down at Roslyn Park, Wasps FC, Irish or Quins (closest to me). We have to rally around prem clubs to keep them going and get back in local grounds/prem stadiums when we can to support them, plus i love rugby so gotta do something on a Friday night, Sat afternoon or Sunday!

 

[Jimbo]

I completely agree with above and although Steve Vaughan says a number of pieces of bad luck fell (HMRC calling in and HSBC giving up/reneging on the refinancing) but huge mistakes were made,

However, although this is incredibly sad for Wasps, we have to remember that our staff and players will find new clubs and we will support them. The club will eventually be reborn and rise. As long as the fans don't abandon the club, we have the power to find and drive the club forward again. I'm confident with the fan base we have and the huge amount of passionate people i have seen, our future is bright.

Until we are back (and win the Prem again eventually), I will Be down at Roslyn Park, Wasps FC, Irish or Quins (closest to me). We have to rally around prem clubs to keep them going and get back in local grounds/prem stadiums when we can to support them, plus i love rugby so gotta do something on a Friday night, Sat afternoon or Sunday!

Seen Willis linked to London Irish might just follow there if he does.

 

[DragonCraig45]

Absolutely heart breaking. Famous club like Wasps. Makes me think what next.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

The club will eventually be reborn and rise. As long as the fans don't abandon the club, we have the power to find and drive the club forward again

AFC Wimbledon was essentially reborn by 3-4 mates who were drowning their sorrows in the Fox and Grapes pub on Wimbledon Common, had open trials 2 WEEKS later...and first preseason game 4 WEEKS after that...6 weeks was all it took to get a new team on the field, its amazing what can be achieved by a small group of dedicated fans, good luck