AJ Bell Stadium owed £1.5m by the Salford City Reds who play at the stadium. In 2014, SCC and Peel lent a further £410,724 to the stadium. On 13 September 2013, it was announced that investment platform AJ Bell had secured a nine-year stadium naming rights partnership with Sale Sharks Rugby Club. The deal saw Salford City Stadium re-branded and renamed AJ Bell Stadium. Initially, the stadium can accommodate a 12,000 crowd, but could be extended to hold up to 20,000 spectators. The stadium has areas designated for standing supporters. This partial-standing design is similar to the Halliwell Jones Stadium, home of Warrington
Salford Red Devils Ian Stewart lent almost £200,000 to the club to keep them afloat, without consulting others at the Council. Salford City Council also part-own the stadium where the club play. In September 2015, controversy occurred when four star players: £115,000 a year man Rangi Chase, captain Harrison Hansen, Cory Paterson and Théo Fages were all released by the club by new Director of rugby and Australian national team coach Tim Sheens. In 2015 Salford failed to finish in the top 8 of Super League and ended up in The Qualifiers. In 2015, they finished 3rd in the table and secured Super