'Great that Wigan Warriors has support of a billionaire'

What are your thoughts about billionaire Mike Danson buying at least a quarter of the Warriors?

Alex Graham: My first reaction to this news was almost a sense of relief, especially with the impact which Covid is making across all sectors and sports, especially rugby league.

We’ve always, and thankfully, had the financial security of Ian Lenagan but for a billionaire to take a quarter interest in the club is additional support for the club.

The second reaction is why?

With Wigan Athletic going through administration process and with Ian Lenagan previously confirming a Wigan Rugby League-led bid for the club it’s quite easy to assume it could be to do with that but judging by rumours it could involve the stadium.

The next couple of weeks will certainly be interesting.

Jon Lyon: It can’t hurt, can it! I’d be interested to hear Ian Lenagan’s comments on what has happened but anyone, especially a local lad, investing in Wigan is more than welcome.

Hopefully the rumours of buying the DW Stadium will come to fruition and I presume he may well be part of the Wigan Athletic takeover, too.

This should offer some stability after the drama of 2020 so far, and anything that brings security to our club gets two thumbs up from me.

Ste Ford: It’s a bit like Christmas Day when you are a kid in that you cannot wait for the day to arrive.

For me, certainly initially, I will just be glad to actually have a home again.

Obviously I’m assuming that the rumours about us buying the stadium are true.

Darren Wrudd: I think it’s fantastic that there is a prospect of another Wigan-born self-made man of solid financial standing not only willing but seemingly eager to become a part of our rich club’s history.

That it would also give Ian Lenagan the financial room to possibly purchase the DW Stadium and solidify the foothold that we enjoy already is a boon.

If the cards fall as I hope, we will see a deal for the ground, a new financial backer and hopefully give Wigan Athletic a boost by freeing up a deal for them to be bought as well.

This could not be more exciting for Wigan supporters of both codes and to those who complain about the possible connections I say, ‘Get over yourselves’.

We have a unique opportunity here to get behind both clubs and forge forward in a new appreciation of one another.

Wigan is a fabulous town with some great people and passionate supporters, but save your angst for the opponents on the field, not your fellow Wiganers and support the drive to make both clubs the best they can be. As for billionaire investors, welcome to Wigan Warriors.

Sean Lawless: For any rugby league club to attract an investor, is significant news but the fact that this particular investor is that wealthy and involves Wigan is very exciting. The silence from Ian Lenagan on the deal at the moment indicates that they are working on a deal for the DW Stadium or hereinafter named New Central Park.

It’s a very exciting time for Wigan and the idea of new investment, resulting in ownership of a stadium is simply magnificent.

Super League’s deal with Papa John’s is in exchange for free pizza for players after a game, but no money. Thoughts?

Alex Graham: The only rational explanation is that the Papa John’s deal is for the purpose of covering post-match catering costs, otherwise I can’t think of any logical explanation of free pizza being a good trade for significant competition advertisement rights. The precedent of this agreement is a risk as the next cash sponsor who comes along will expect the same advertising as Papa John’s but will make a point of the previous deal and use this as leverage to negotiate their deal.

There was massive negative reaction the Stobart deal which was a well-publicised disaster and I just find it baffling why Super League would go down a similar route.

I understand modern marketing and advertisement has progressed in many ways and there could well be an explanation, but until Super League elaborate further it’s understandable why people are so critical of it.

Jon Lyon: I’m trying hard to see the positives, and I suppose in theory there’s no such thing as bad publicity but it’s hard not to see the decision as an embarrassment.

Would this happen in any other sport?

Free pizzas? Is this really the best we can do? I wasn’t expecting huge name brands to come flocking by the million but surely we are worth more.

I guess time will tell what this brings us, I only ever saw two of the Eddie Stobart trucks from the last cash free deal. Maybe Sky subscriptions will increase and when we finally get back into stadiums maybe a few more people might pop in to the DW to give our sport a try.

Much like when I’m waiting for my pizza delivery to arrive on time, I won’t hold my breath.

Ste Ford: Sounds like another Eddie Stobbart deal to me.

Maybe, just maybe, Papa John’s will use this really well as a marketing tool and it will give us some much needed national exposure.

Knowing our luck their CEO is probably a kick-and-clap merchant and he’s done the deal to take the Michael out of us.

Darren Wrudd: Well who doesn’t like a good pizza? In a year when businesses are going pop left right and centre, sponsorship money must be very difficult to come by and this is a great first step towards what could end up a lucrative long term relationship.

Of course on the face of it, some would say it’s another cheap deal for rugby league, but I say bring it on.

What we need is a few stalls outside the ground selling slices for the fans too.

It’s just what you need after a couple of hours cheering and a beer at half time.

Sean Lawless: I am in the minority on the Papa John’s deal, I actually think the only mistake Super League made was making the monetary value of the deal public knowledge. A deal to give exposure to a worldwide brand on our advertising boards, in exchange for the same via their social media platforms – isn’t that much of a bad deal! The idea that we undersell our game and memories of the ill-fated title sponsor of Eddie Stobart still haunt us.

However, I think the deal is fine, we really don’t lose anything and without knowledge of the monetary value, it adds value in the sense that over big companies can see a brand like Papa John’s involved with Super League – however we have shot ourselves in the foot by making it public that it was a cashless deal!