Barrie McDermott says Super League must work harder to raise its profile or players will continue to leave for the NRL or rugby union.
Wigan were dealt a double blow on Wednesday with Josh Charnley announcing he will swap codes at the end of the season and join Sale Sharks, while Dan Sarginson agreed a move to the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL.
Former Warriors prop McDermott admits the spending power of the NRL and rugby union makes it difficult for Super League clubs to compete, but says more must be done to make the players feel valued.
"What can we do to stop players leaving? We need to give them a better platform, as in the profile of the game," McDermott told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Sky do a wonderful job but we need to raise the profile so the players feel valued. That needs to be reflected by their pay packets as well.
"I'm not saying these two players are leaving just for money, it's for the opportunity, but when you have a salary cap of £1.8m and other teams or sports offer them better wages, it is only natural they would be tempted.
"Dan Sarginson came up north from London. He was born in Australia and learned his rugby league in Hemel Hempstead. It will be a shame to lose him. He has developed into a wonderful player.
"He came to the club as a stand-off but made his name as a centre, and he has been playing at full-back lately due to the injury to Sam Tomkins.
"Charnley is a little bit different to Sarginson. He learned his trade down the road at Chorley and came through the system. He is Wigan born and bred and for him to leave the club and go to rugby union, it's about the opportunity. It is a desperate shame for the club.
"We have to work harder as a game not to lose our great stars."