Finally the story of the year has come to a predictable end with the newly signed Toulon RU star agreeing a release from his Canterbury contract at the cost of $750,000. This in affect, closes the door on SBW participating in the world cup and any possible future back in the NRL even if he wanted to. With all the controversy that has surrounded the move, Sonny Bill will be about as welcome back in Australian Rugby League as an Englishman in a police uniform. On top of that, Canterbury have been successful in inserting a clause into Williams’ contract stopping him from playing in the NRL until 2013 leaving his options limited to Super League if he fails to make a success of the kick-and-clap game.
The move also puts an end to the court case that was being prepared while Sonny Bill was awaiting his injunction. As soon as the NSW court papers were in the hands of the former kiwi star, it was only a matter of seconds before he would ask, “How much do you want?” But crucially it spares the game from further embarrassment in the public eye, de-railing the NRL chiefs from selling a product that is by far the best in Australia. However before any of that is done, the NRL have to look at player salaries and the way contracts are structured.
While salary caps are set up in all four codes of football in the land of Oz, we are now competing with a global market whereas Soccer and Aussie Rules don’t compete with similar sports so its star names can use their skills elsewhere. Whereas the A-League only attracts footballers who can’t cope with a real contact sport and defunct legends on a nice retirement package, and the AFL is unheard of outside Australia, Rugby League is at a disadvantage to union down under due to its lack of worldwide appeal. If an NRL player wants to earn big money outside of Australia, his only option is half a world away in Super League. But even that has a salary cap, so to earn unlimited amounts of cash you have to look at either mainland European rugby union, or possibly All Black or Springbok union.
There’s no two ways about it though, NRL players are not earning as much as they deserve regarding their status as role models and their capabilities in endorsing products. Doing so can breach salary cap regulations but only from third party sponsors that already sponsor a player’s club. Relaxing these rules brings more money into player’s pockets, more interest from potential sponsors, more public interest in the game and therefore more money in the game overall.
The move also puts an end to the court case that was being prepared while Sonny Bill was awaiting his injunction. As soon as the NSW court papers were in the hands of the former kiwi star, it was only a matter of seconds before he would ask, “How much do you want?” But crucially it spares the game from further embarrassment in the public eye, de-railing the NRL chiefs from selling a product that is by far the best in Australia. However before any of that is done, the NRL have to look at player salaries and the way contracts are structured.
While salary caps are set up in all four codes of football in the land of Oz, we are now competing with a global market whereas Soccer and Aussie Rules don’t compete with similar sports so its star names can use their skills elsewhere. Whereas the A-League only attracts footballers who can’t cope with a real contact sport and defunct legends on a nice retirement package, and the AFL is unheard of outside Australia, Rugby League is at a disadvantage to union down under due to its lack of worldwide appeal. If an NRL player wants to earn big money outside of Australia, his only option is half a world away in Super League. But even that has a salary cap, so to earn unlimited amounts of cash you have to look at either mainland European rugby union, or possibly All Black or Springbok union.
There’s no two ways about it though, NRL players are not earning as much as they deserve regarding their status as role models and their capabilities in endorsing products. Doing so can breach salary cap regulations but only from third party sponsors that already sponsor a player’s club. Relaxing these rules brings more money into player’s pockets, more interest from potential sponsors, more public interest in the game and therefore more money in the game overall.
Case closed, now where do I apply to takeover David Gallop’s job?
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