Payne Haas’ agent hits back at claims Broncos star is ready to test open market, reveals priority is new Brisbane deal

After sending shockwaves through Broncos camp when his name was on a list of players shopped to rivals, Payne Haas’ agent has hit back at claims the superstar prop is ready to test his market value outside of Brisbane.

Payne Haas’ agent has hit back at claims his star client is ready to test the open market, revealing instead that his overriding priority is to strike a deal with the Brisbane Broncos.

The Broncos, already reeling after a shocking month of football, were rocked over the weekend when it emerged that Haas’ name was on a list of players sent by his management company to rival clubs.

It sparked suggestions he was ready to go to market and launch a bidding war for his services. Hass’ agent Ahmad Merhi released a statement on Sunday insisting that was not the case and that the Broncos remained their priority.

Merhi said talks over a new deal – Hass is off contract at the end of next year and free to speak to rival clubs on November 1 – were on hold until the end of the season but once the Broncos’ commitments were over, they would sit down with the club and strike a new deal.

“As part of standard industry practice, Sportsplayer Management distributes a monthly list to all NRL club recruitment staff outlining the contract status of the players we represent,” Merhi said.

Payne Haas’ agent has hit back at claims he’s ready to test the open market. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“These lists are commonly circulated by all management teams representing NRL players and are intended to provide accurate, transparent information regarding when players come off contract and when discussions can formally commence under NRL rules.

“Last month’s list includes 19 players — one of whom is Payne Haas, who remains contracted to the Brisbane Broncos until the end of the 2026 season.

“Contrary to recent media reports, we have not approached every NRL club to gauge interest in Payne, nor have we had any discussions with any club regarding him.

Payne Haas is off contract at the end of the year. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

“Any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect. This month’s list was distributed in the same professional manner as every other month, consistent with the standard processes followed by all player management companies across the NRL.

“Payne has put talks off until the end of the year so he can focus on playing his best for the Broncos and NSW. Once the season is over, we will sit down with the Broncos to get his deal done.”

Haas has just over one year remaining on the mega-deal he signed in 2023 and his next contract is expected to make him the highest paid front rower in the history of the game.

The Broncos certainly can’t afford to lose him. However, their current plight has no doubt tested his patience and that of every other Broncos player as they reel from a shocking loss to Manly, their sixth defeat in their past seven games.

Haas was again among their best despite backing up only days after winning man of the match for NSW in the opening game of the State of Origin series. His displays over the past week only reiterated how important he is to the Broncos and highlighted his value should he find himself up for grabs.

Originally published as Payne Haas’ agent hits back at claims Broncos star is ready to test open market, reveals priority is new Brisbane deal