Chief Executive Kris Radlinski has offered a detailed perspective on Wigan’s squad and salary cap management, disclosing the club’s marquee players.

Currently, the Super League’s salary cap stands at £2.1 million. However, clubs can exceed this limit through dispensations, including the marquee player rule, which introduced a spot for homegrown players for the 2024 season.

At present, off-season recruit Luke Thompson occupies that marquee position for the Warriors, with stars Bevan French and Jai Field also designated as marquee players.

The transfer window officially opens on May 1, allowing players with expired contracts to negotiate with other clubs.

Radlinski, a former full-back, acknowledges that part of his role involves ongoing contract negotiations with head coach Matt Peet, describing it as a year-round responsibility rather than something that starts after May 1.

“A part of my job is to constantly assess who’s next. Waiting until May 1 to start your business is unrealistic. It’s a 12-month job. We start planning around November for contracts and have secured long-term deals for Kaide Ellis, Junior Nsemba, and Brad O’Neill,” Radlinski said.

He notes that planning for the future in a salary cap sport is challenging due to potential rule changes and the need to make informed decisions about player investments.

“When signing a player to a long-term contract, it often means that another player may need to leave. For example, we invested in Junior Nsemba knowing his impact on the salary cap might be minimal initially, but he would command a significant increase the following year. Managing these changes is a continuous process,” Radlinski explained.

Radlinski also mentioned that signings cannot be evaluated in isolation due to the salary cap. Factors such as the player’s cost, injury status, and potential impact on the team all play a role in decision-making.

He has also suggested that the salary cap should be adjusted for inflation, as the static cap has not kept pace with rising costs.

“The salary cap has remained at £2.1 million despite rising inflation. Costs have increased across the board, including for players, but the cap hasn’t changed. Revenues are not keeping up, so I believe the cap should be linked to inflation to better reflect the current economic climate,” Radlinski stated.