You could go into the semantics of whether Hooper is a DP/marquee all day long, but surely the bigger issue is the financial hit the club's owners (and all A League clubs) are currently being whacked with.
Isn't he allegedly the club's most expensive ever player? Yet when he was signed pre Covid the world was a very very different, and financially secure place.
Absolutely no one can guarantee that the Nix, will have any crowd takings for season 2020/2021. The last few days in Auckland have shown that.
Sponsorship revenues could be in for a hit.
Is a return to Australia for another hub, in December (start of new season) likely? Are there extra costs of having team in Aussie - must be some additional expenses that are not all covered by the League?
The generosity of the Welnix owners has a limit. Some of their own personal businesses maybe hurting. Sheer club survival has to be the number 1 priority.
No doubt the possibility of going through another hub setup, with long periods away from family - is a big negative for someone like Hooper. At least if he's playing in the UK, his family will always be close. Trans Tasman travel is going to continue to be a challenge.
Now that Hooper's had a good injury free run (recent hammy twinge aside), that should have attracted the interest of some Championship level clubs, and his family are still in England. I'd be really surprised if he has another season in Wellington.