NRL 2022: Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas rejects open market

Just months after requesting an immediate release from his Broncos contract, Payne Haas’s management has finally contacted Red Hill officials via email.

The explosive Payne Haas contract saga is over with the superstar prop’s management smoking the peace pipe with Brisbane bosses in a major coup for the Broncos.

Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy confirmed the messy five-month contract spat has been “settled” after Haas’ management advised Brisbane the four-time Paul Morgan Medallist will not be quitting the club.

Haas initially dropped a bombshell on the Broncos in May when his new agents emailed Donaghy asking for an immediate release from his $3 million deal, a request that was flatly rejected by Brisbane officialdom.

The two parties agreed to revisit the issue at the end of the season to allow Haas, who was famously booed by Brisbane fans at Suncorp Stadium, to focus on his commitments to NSW and the Broncos.

But News Corp can reveal the protracted dispute has been resolved.

Payne Haas won’t go on the open market. Picture: NRL Photos

Haas’ management has rescinded their original request to explore other opportunities on the open market - meaning Brisbane’s No.1 player will remain at Red Hill until the end of 2024 as he looks to break the Broncos’ 17-year title drought.

The outcome is a major boost for the Broncos, who were in danger of losing their newly-minted player of the year to cashed-up Sydney clubs headlined by the Roosters.

“Payne’s a really important part of our club,” Donaghy said.

“The contract part of it is settled, there’s a commitment in place from all sides with that.

“We’ve got a contract in place for another two years and I know how much we both want to experience success in that time.

“Payne had another great season and I can see him already working on hitting the ground running when pre-season starts next month.”

Speaking at Brisbane’s awards night last month, Haas outlined his desire to stay and hoped his management could sort out their Mexican stand-off with the Broncos.

That has now happened. Ironically, the decision for Haas to stay loyal was communicated via email - the very method his management deployed when they shocked the Broncos in May by informing Donaghy the Blues bookend wanted out of the club.

There was a view Haas was being grossly underpaid - his agents believed he was worth at least $1 million on the open market - but his pay day at the Broncos is coming.

From November 1, Haas will become Brisbane’s highest paid player on $848,000 at the age of 22, supplanting skipper Adam Reynolds, who is on $800,000.

No Broncos forward in history has pocketed such a salary and if he can help Brisbane to the finals next season, Haas will inch closer towards the $1 million mark as the NRL salary-cap prepares to rise to more than $11 million in 2024.

Payne Haas won his fourth consecutive Paul Morgan medal this year. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Former Broncos skipper Corey Parker applauded Haas’ decision to stay loyal after months of speculation.

“It’s great that it’s all been sorted and Payne is staying at the Broncos,” Parker said.

“Clearly, Payne’s management didn’t handle the situation well and it’s reflected poorly on Payne.

“Payne has come through the system and the last thing you want to see is him leaving.

“My only concern at the time was that Payne didn’t want to be there unless the Broncos paid him $1 million, whether that was from Payne or his management, we don’t know, but it’s great news that Payne is staying and his management have changed their view.

“Payne can now focus on playing good football and winning a premiership at the Broncos.”

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Originally published as NRL 2022: Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas rejects open market