Benji's future hinges on Wests Tigers home ground Josh Massoud The Daily Telegraph July 05, 2013 12:00AM Wests Tigers … star Benji Marshall after training. BENJI Marshall's future could hinge on where the Tigers decide to play their home matches, with club power brokers considering an approach to ANZ Stadium or Allianz Stadium to help bankroll the Kiwi star's contract upgrade.
Despite Marshall threatening to leave the joint venture after being denied a two year extension, Tigers officials remain confident of keeping him. Senior directors and members of the club's retention committee held a meeting this week, where it was decided that a renewed offer would be tabled to Marshall.
Wests insiders have told The Daily Telegraph that an extension is still unlikely. However, the new package represents a $100,000-a-season increase for 2014 and 2015 on the initial upgrade that was tabled to Marshall two weeks ago. And in a novel twist, the Tigers have also spoken about approaching both ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium to bankroll the extra money via a third party sponsorship.
With their SCG Trust deal expiring at the end of this year, the Tigers are now in talks with both venues to host their four non-suburban fixtures from 2014 onwards. ANZ Stadium currently sponsors Ben Barba and Greg Inglis, who are both ambassadors for the Olympic Park venue. It would be unlikely the stadium would stretch its NRL investment to three ambassadors, but Marshall could come into the equation should Barba move to Queensland at the end of this year. Marshall and his agent, Martin Tauber, have been clearly unimpressed by the Tigers' attitude toward honouring a verbal promise made by former CEO Steve Humphreys.
According to Marshall, Humphreys promised a two-year extension when the salary cap was re-negotiated. But that didn't eventuate and Marshall has since refused to guarantee he'll remain at the Tigers amid interest from Super Rugby franchise, the Auckland Blues. He has ruled out playing against the Tigers in the NRL. "When Stephen Humphreys was there I thought I agreed to a contract to end of 2017," Marshall told Channel Nine's Footy Show last night. "But since he resigned from the club, they’ve said they’re not going to be honouring that deal anymore. "To be honest, my manager is working it out with the club. "I have been at the Tigers and my loyalty can’t be questioned, I’ve given 11 years of my life there.
I don’t want to play for another NRL club. "Just out of respect. I’ve been brought up in a way where loyalty is a big thing and out of respect for my teammates and my fans. "I’ll hopefully start playing consistent footy and hopefully show the club what they are going to miss out on if they don’t go down my way."
_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_
Despite Marshall threatening to leave the joint venture after being denied a two year extension, Tigers officials remain confident of keeping him. Senior directors and members of the club's retention committee held a meeting this week, where it was decided that a renewed offer would be tabled to Marshall.
Wests insiders have told The Daily Telegraph that an extension is still unlikely. However, the new package represents a $100,000-a-season increase for 2014 and 2015 on the initial upgrade that was tabled to Marshall two weeks ago. And in a novel twist, the Tigers have also spoken about approaching both ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium to bankroll the extra money via a third party sponsorship.
With their SCG Trust deal expiring at the end of this year, the Tigers are now in talks with both venues to host their four non-suburban fixtures from 2014 onwards. ANZ Stadium currently sponsors Ben Barba and Greg Inglis, who are both ambassadors for the Olympic Park venue. It would be unlikely the stadium would stretch its NRL investment to three ambassadors, but Marshall could come into the equation should Barba move to Queensland at the end of this year. Marshall and his agent, Martin Tauber, have been clearly unimpressed by the Tigers' attitude toward honouring a verbal promise made by former CEO Steve Humphreys.
According to Marshall, Humphreys promised a two-year extension when the salary cap was re-negotiated. But that didn't eventuate and Marshall has since refused to guarantee he'll remain at the Tigers amid interest from Super Rugby franchise, the Auckland Blues. He has ruled out playing against the Tigers in the NRL. "When Stephen Humphreys was there I thought I agreed to a contract to end of 2017," Marshall told Channel Nine's Footy Show last night. "But since he resigned from the club, they’ve said they’re not going to be honouring that deal anymore. "To be honest, my manager is working it out with the club. "I have been at the Tigers and my loyalty can’t be questioned, I’ve given 11 years of my life there.
I don’t want to play for another NRL club. "Just out of respect. I’ve been brought up in a way where loyalty is a big thing and out of respect for my teammates and my fans. "I’ll hopefully start playing consistent footy and hopefully show the club what they are going to miss out on if they don’t go down my way."
_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_
