I don’t get why NRL fans are so obsessed with how much a players earns, salary caps etc….i don’t believe American fans are like this…..
NFL fans don't have these debates exactly because
everybody already knows:
Two different versions of a player's contract? Settled in seconds by the nfl website. There is nothing to debate.
Each franchise has its salary cap. Every player's contract is publicly disclosed, and so there is no conjecture. Add every player on the roster's salary and they're either exceeding the cap or not....
The NRL is so far behind with this it is ridiculous.
The current model is perfect for exaggerated contract values to be thrown about in the media (what's stopping agents acting as lobbyists to journalists?) to get more money and hold clubs to ransom.
It allows for teams like the Roosters, Broncos, Dogs, even I suspect Souths, to present reduced contract values under the auspices of sponsors linked to these clubs. All while using the "he wants to go to a club that'll contest for a premiership", "he wants to play under this coach"... excuse.
And, best of all: "We don't think this kid will develop under this coach".
It's bullshit.
Players should always have the right to have endorsements and use their image to earn as much money as they can, bu
t TPAs are just the dodgiest thing ever.
I don't get the big deal with knowing for a fact what someone's contract is.
Taxpayers pay the prime minister. His salary is public knowledge. I'm sure many think it is their right.
Fans make the NRL profitable. Without we "consumers" there is no TV rights deal, no led ads throughout games, no "Red Bull"...whatever... No NRL. No NRL players.
Is it any different?