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The backflip is back: NRL’s controversial rule change set to transform player market
September 12, 2023 — 7.44pm
The NRL is set to implement a controversial “backflip” clause that will turn the player market on its head from next season, handing power to agents and opening the door for players to renege on contracts.
The
Herald has obtained the NRL’s salary cap and contracting model document sent to all clubs and player agents over the past week.
The player market could be flipped on its head.
The most significant change – which will come into effect from November 1 – is the “last right of negotiation” clause added into the agreement that will give incumbent clubs a 10-day period to convince a player not to join a rival club.
The document states that “every player must provide his incumbent club with a last right of negotiation for a 10-day period from the date of notice that the player has received an offer from a rival Club, and that offer has been submitted to the NRL, that he is prepared to accept.”
Under the NRL’s new rules, the incumbent club will be told when a player is willing to accept an offer elsewhere.
They won’t be told the terms of the deal with the rival club, but will then have 10 days to convince the player not to accept the rival offer.
NRL documentation: Last Right of Negotiation clause
Every player must provide his incumbent Club with a last right of negotiation for a 10-day period from the date of notice that the player has received an offer from a rival Club, and that offer has been submitted to the NRL, that he is prepared to accept. In order to give effect to this clause:
- a) the player must provide notice to his incumbent Club that he has an offer that he will accept in 10 days’ time (subject to negotiations with his incumbent Club);
- b) the Club can then engage in contract negotiations with the player for a period of up to 10 days, or the Club may waive its rights in writing (at which point the player is free to sign with the rival Club);
- c) the offer from the rival NRL Club must be an official offer and submitted to the NRL Salary Cap Auditor (the contents of which will remain confidential, but the NRL Salary Cap Auditor can provide verification to the incumbent Club that an official offer has been received). The offer must remain open for acceptance for a minimum of 14 days, and for at least 48 hours beyond the expiry of the 10-day negotiation period with the incumbent Club. There is no requirement for the player to disclose the terms of the offer to his incumbent Club;
- d) at the expiry of the 10 days, the player may sign (or reject) the offer from the rival Club.
The clause, giving the player the ability to change his mind at the end of the 10-day cooling-off period, has piqued the interest of player agents.
“Every negotiation could have a Daly Cherry-Evans affect,” one player agent, talking on the condition of anonymity to protect his position in the game, told the
Herald.
Cherry-Evans, the Manly captain, famously reneged on a four-year, multimillion-dollar deal with the Gold Coast Titans to accept a $10 million “lifetime contract” with Manly in 2015.
“Some managers and recruitment managers team up to make other successful clubs pay a higher price,” the agent said. “It could be crazy giving some managers this much power to influence an outcome.
What’s stopping a player from agreeing with a rival club without any intention of following through? This just opens Pandora’s Box.”
The NRL confirmed the changes in a meeting with clubs on Monday afternoon. Agents were sent the official document last week.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...shock-deal-with-panthers-20230912-p5e43b.html
There have been a number of player movements over the past 12 months which may have not have happened under the model set to be introduced next year.
Stephen Crichton accepted an offer from the Canterbury Bulldogs before hearing an offer from Penrith due to the club’s protracted contract negotiations.
Under the new rules the Panthers would have had 10 days to put forward an offer to Crichton and attempt to convince him to stay.
The new rules will make it almost impossible for a club to announce a player contract before it is released in the media.
The incumbent club will be informed of the player’s intention to sign with a rival club and could use the opportunity to spin the narrative in their favour.
