NRL to Discuss New Rule re Breaking Contracts

[Newtown]

NRL to discuss rule to stop players leaving contracts to sign inflated deals with rivals
By WWOS staff
3 hours ago
0:01
/
0:15

The days NRL players hold clubs to ransom and break contracts for "family reasons" only to receive pay rises at rival clubs appears to be over.

The ARL Commission will meet Wednesday and consider a new rule forbidding players who break a contract from signing for more money at a rival club.

The move comes after a recent spate of cases involving players asking for a release from their contracts because of personal issues and then signing on with rivals on upgraded deals.

Under the the rule a player would have to remain on the same money he was on with his previous club for the remainder of his deal with his new club.
Addin Fonua-Blake left the Sea Eagles due to family reasons then signed with the Warriors for more money. (Getty)

The move aims to remove the incentive for players to seek a release for the sole reason of earning more money elsewhere, which is taking place at an increasing rate.

The rule will aim to sort out which players want to leave for genuine reasons and those who are making excuses to get out of a contract.

Recent cases involving winger Jason Saab and props Addin Fonua-Blake and Josh Aloiai highlight the need for a framework, which has seen clubs raid each other's rosters while losing players themselves in similar circumstances.

No doubt the richer clubs, managers and the player's union will need to look over any amendments made to contract dealings, with such a move potentially going against free market forces and could be viewed as a restraint of trade.

 

[diedpretty]

"with such a move potentially going against free market forces and could be viewed as a restraint of trade."

I can't see how this could be the case if there is a legally binding contract already in place. Also they are not forcing the player to remain at his contracted club. I would think that inducing a player to break a contract is a far bigger legal issue.

 

[twentyforty]

It’s a start. Don’t know that it will close the loophole unless TPAs are also scrutinised for unfair advantage. Does anyone think it would be a good idea to also have a sale price on the contract? Or a negotiable price?

 

[gallagher]

Can you still back end contracts?

 

[happy_tiger]

Lets make one club players cool again

200 k super investment for any one club 10 year plus player .....

 

[2005magic]

And the role of player managers in touting players under contract to rival clubs and getting in their ears about more money. Have to lessen their power and role in the situation.

 

[old_man_tiger]

Lets make one club players cool again

200 k super investment for any one club 10 year plus player .....

I like ideas like this. We also need incentives for clubs though, as they are often disloyal too.

 

[earl]

And the role of player managers in touting players under contract to rival clubs and getting in their ears about more money. Have to lessen their power and role in the situation.

These guys are great at getting some players the best contract. The problem is there is only so much money available and they also take a chunk of a players salary. So overall they serve very little to no purpose and end up costing the players as a whole a lot of money.

The reality is that they don't have much power. They can't make the salary cap increase. They can play games but the pot is only so big.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

It seems our Chair has clout. Well done and also to the NRL for listening.

 

[dazza65]

It seems our Chair has clout. Well done and also to the NRL for listening.

I agree, but lets see if anything changes.... the piece did say "consider".....

 

[pawsandclaws1]

It seems our Chair has clout. Well done and also to the NRL for listening.


I agree, but lets see if anything changes.... the piece did say "consider".....

I guess we will await representations from some clubs and managers concerned with player welfare?

 

[dazza65]

It seems our Chair has clout. Well done and also to the NRL for listening.


I agree, but lets see if anything changes.... the piece did say "consider".....

I guess we will await representations from some clubs and managers concerned with player welfare?

Don't forget the psychologist report about the crushing mental anguish that goes along with a player not getting 100% of everything they ask for including being able to walk out on unfair and indentured contract they signed on their own free will only a year previously.......

 

[Geo]

Can you still back end contracts?

Not to the outrageous amounts of the past...You can't pay say 200K year 1 and 600K year 2...you can go 350K year 1 450K year 2..net result is 800K over the 2 years...

Clubs now try and even out the cap but build in bonuses should certain levels be met..

 

[balmain boy]

They need some specifications on this though. If a player is a regular first grader then yes these rules should apply. If there's a youngster who isn't getting a look in, like Blore for example, why shouldn't they be allowed to leave their club by mutual consent and get a slight payrise in the process?

Ultimately this will see a lot more 2 year deals being signed.

A transfer system like the NBA or NHL might be better. You can trade players (who can also have non trade clauses in their contracts) but the salary remains the same. But you can bundle a package of players to trade for one higher value asset. Players know that an acceptable trade needs to be agreed before they can move, otherwise they see out their contract and then move in free agency, and their club gets no compensation.

 

[diedpretty]

Being able to sign a player 12 months in advance ( closer to 15 months by the time he settles in) is still a major problem. It just gives those players and unscrupulous managers the opportunity to pull the mental health/welfare/family card to get out early. This may go some one to alleviating that but not fully.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

if players want to leave then they should be able to however only at the contract for that year
for example Josh A signed 2021 with tigers for 350k
if he goes to manly for 2021 then all he is entitled to receive is 350k for that year of contract.
Basically they can leave for mental health player welfare only not extra dollars. Once contract has expired then the team can pay whatever they wish
this should stop the matterson and Josh A farce

 

[Boa constrictor]

This is all posturing. Can’t see it happening. In order for the RLPA to sign off on this (Zero chance) they would be try and horse trade something fairly significant

 

[BAGNF05]

Can you still back end contracts?

That is how clubs will move around it, it’s reliant on the salary cap auditor, this is no silver bullet unfortunately

 

[happy_tiger]

Lets make one club players cool again

200 k super investment for any one club 10 year plus player .....

I like ideas like this. We also need incentives for clubs though, as they are often disloyal too.

You get a champion , loyal footballer for 10 + years

 

[happy_tiger]

Being able to sign a player 12 months in advance ( closer to 15 months by the time he settles in) is still a major problem. It just gives those players and unscrupulous managers the opportunity to pull the mental health/welfare/family card to get out early. This may go some one to alleviating that but not fully.

Make them sit out 6 months to prove there issues are "real" ...if your health is soooooo important to you ...prove it