Salford Red Devils agree extension to stay at AJ Bell stadium
Salford Red Devils have signed a temporary extension to their current tenancy at the AJ Bell Stadium and are confident a new and better deal will be in place by March.
The Super League club had issued an apocalyptic warning last month blaming council officers for putting the very existence of the club in peril.
But club managing director, Paul King, now believes a new deal will satisfy Super League that Salford is secure in its home and will give supporters and sponsors assurance of a future at the top level of the sport.
“Following the expiry of our previous tenancy agreement, we have now signed a 12-month extension on the existing terms,” he said.
“Additionally, Sale Sharks and Salford Red Devils have agreed and jointly presented a working proposal between the clubs to Salford City Council. The proposal outlines terms that would enable a productive relationship and a future for each at the Salford Stadium, as well as profit for all parties. Terms include an initial and fair division of commercial assets and matchday revenues.
“We have agreed to the extension with a belief in the Council that their commitment to complete the stadium deal by March will materialise. Whilst conscious that the extension is the same terms as our previous agreement, the implications of operating without any tenancy agreement leaves little choice in the short-term, however, it does now provide a level of certainty heading into 2024.”
He concluded by saying that regardless of the pressures this has placed on the Club’s finances, Salford are committed to trying to retain the same on-pitch ambitions of previous years.
Though they just missed out on a top six finish – and the play-offs – Salford have enjoyed one of their most successful periods in recent years, reaching the Betfred Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford in 2019 and the Coral Challenge Cup Final at Wembley in 2020.
“Now we have certainty going into next season, I’d urge anyone still holding off from buying their season ticket to do so. We have made strides both on and off the pitch in recent years and are looking forward to building on those in 2024,” King said.
