The Warriors' financial future looks bright and New Zealand league is set to benefit after the NRL signed off on a historic funding agreement that will strengthen the game at every level.
The NRL announced it will give $100 million extra a year to the clubs from 2018 to 2022 and it will invest the same amount in growing grassroots league to the elite level.
Clubs will also receive grants totalling 130 percent of player payments and will be well placed to invest off the field to become stronger and more professional than ever before. The landmark deal follows the $1.8 billion broadcast rights deal secured by the ARL Commission last week.
Warriors managing director Jim Doyle says clubs will be able to invest more into resources and improving their businesses, and he expects spin-offs to help develop the game throughout New Zealand.
"Clubs can really become sustainable and start to invest in themselves and hire more people to grow memberships and drive better game-day experiences. It's good, not just for the clubs, but also the fans and members as well. We can try and get more memberships from all over the world and it will really just help us become more professional and grow the business."
The increase in funding will also see the salary cap rise along with player salaries: "The current Collective Bargaining Agreement runs out at the end of 2017 so there will be negotiations with the Rugby League Players Association, but there's no doubt the cap will go up."
The game's governing body has not imposed any restrictions on how the cash should be spent so that will also ease the financial burden on the likes of Warriors owner Eric Watson.
The Australian Rugby League Commission and clubs will now sign a Memorandum of Understanding while the agreement is formalised. The final package will include agreement on other non-commercial issues and will form the basis for each club to hold a perpetual licence to play in the NRL competition.
ARL Commission chairman John Grant said the ARLC and the clubs could now focus on the future as one.
"We are now both intent on making the game stronger at every level ... from the grassroots through to the elite levels."
