Salford Red Devils: From Takeover Hope to Deepening Crisis in 2025 Super League Season

Initial Promise of Salvation

The year began with promise for Salford Red Devils when a takeover deal was announced that would clear all the club’s debts, just days before their first Super League match of the season.

Financial Struggles and Immediate Impact

However, the takeover led by Swiss banker Dario Berta faced approval delays, leading to a catastrophic start to the season. The team suffered an 82-0 defeat against St Helens in their opening match on February 15, 2025—one of the worst losses in Super League history.

Even after the takeover was approved, the financial problems persisted. Players and staff experienced delayed payments in February and March, resulting in training strikes. Key players departed, including Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Tim Lafai, and Kallum Watkins. By April, CEO Chris Irwin revealed that debts remained unresolved, suggesting the new owners were more interested in stadium land development than rugby league.

Current Crisis and Player Exodus

The situation has continued to deteriorate, with the club being forced to sell multiple players to pay creditors. Recent departures include captain Ryan Brierley and Jack Ormondroyd to Oldham, Chris Hill to Bradford Bulls, and Chris Hankinson to Leeds Rhinos. In total, thirteen players have left during the season.

Regulatory Response and Future Outlook

The Rugby Football League (RFL) has acknowledged that Salford’s situation has become “damaging and draining for the sport.” The governing body has noted that important lessons have been learned, particularly regarding the need for clubs to have sufficient resources to sustain themselves in elite competition and the importance of thorough assessment prior to ownership changes.

Looking ahead, there are expected to be developments regarding the stadium situation. The new ownership group has expressed interest in potentially purchasing the Salford Community Stadium, should the Council be willing to sell, though this remains a future consideration.