Toronto Wolfpack pull out of 2020 Super League due to coronavirus-related issues

Club intend to field a team next season, but it is as yet unclear how the situation will be resolved

Toronto Wolfpack have announced that they have withdrawn themselves from the 2020 Super League due to coronavirus issues.

The season was suspended in March due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it is set to resume on 2 August.

The Wolfpack will not be part of the rest of the season, however.

“The team will not be restarting the campaign as scheduled on 2 August,” read a statement released on Monday.

“The Wolfpack will not participate in the conclusion of the 2020 Betfred Super League season, or in the remainder of the 2020 Coral Challenge Cup,” the statement continued. “This decision has not been taken lightly, and in consideration of a range of factors specific to the club as the only transatlantic team in the league.

“The Covid pandemic has presented unexpected and overwhelming financial challenges to the Wolfpack organization. Greatly reduced ticket, sponsorship, merchandise and game day revenue streams have resulted from the loss of all 11 of the team’s home Super League games in Toronto.

“The Wolfpack would be left covering significant additional costs simply to complete a season of games in the UK, including Covid testing, stadium rentals, medical costs and player pay increases to align with the rest of the league.”

The statement added that the club “fully intend to field a team in the 2021 season” and will work with Super League Europe and the Rugby Football League to figure out how that can be managed.

As of the suspension of the season, however, the Wolfpack are bottom of the Super League table, filling the only relegation spot.

It is as yet unclear how that element of the situation will be resolved.