$6 million contract clause rocks NRL, exposes club’s dangerous gamble

One of the most talked-about contracts in the NRL has taken a twist with reports the deal is not what fans were told.

Jarome Luai’s blockbuster $6 million Wests Tigers move is not what fans were first told, it has been reported.

The former Panthers playmaker’s contract became one of the most talked-about deals in the game after he made a special announcement in January — with a full season still to go before his time ended in Penrith.

The five-year, $6 million deal, reportedly has a get-out clause in Luai’s favour that would allow him to leave the club after two seasons.

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The Sydney Morning Herald first reported Luai is able to rip up the contract at the end of 2026.

This would put Luai on the open market from November 1, 2025.

It means the Tigers are already on the charm-offensive to retain their star-signing.

It is one of the biggest gambles the struggling club has made recently.

With the battle for Luai’s signature remaining fierce at the time, the favourable clauses were reportedly presented to ex-Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe, who left in December 2023, but he knocked them back.

His successor, Shane Richardson, then agreed to the player options in order to win the race for Luai’s services.

Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary. Maybe the best halves combination ever. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

It was a win the struggling club desperately needed as its new era under Benji Marshall as coach failed to ignite on-field performance at the end of 2023.

The clauses now heap pressure on Marshall and the Tigers to get their rebuild right to convince Luai to stick around.

Earlier this year, the Tigers also had the bitter blow of watching prop Stefano Utoikamanu move to the Melbourne Storm because of a performance clause in his contract.

Luai, meanwhile, pulled the curtain down on his career with the Panthers with a fourth NRL premiership ring.

The entire 2024 season was a John Farnham-like marathon farewell tour for the 27-year-old, who was clearly emotional after leading the Panthers to victory in the grand final.

A junior from the Penrith area, Luai played 131 games in seven seasons for the Panthers.

In a post-game interview with channel 9, Luai admitted his inspired performances came on the back of the motivation he knew it was his final year with his Panther teammates.

Jarome Luai announces he is taking his talents to concord and Campbelltown. Picture: Richard Dobson.

“Massive. It’s been good for me,” he said.

“It’s kept me going every day, even the days I didn’t want to show up.

“It’s kept me accountable, hopefully it’s made the boys better as well.

“We did it.”

Nathan Cleary, who has been alongside Luai at halfback for each of their four grand final victories, was also asked about his departing five-eighth.

“Just (wanted to) send him out the right way,” Cleary said. “He deserves that.

“He’s been such a big part of this team and he showed that again tonight, he was on fire.

“We’re going to miss him a lot, but right now I just want to party alongside him and enjoy it.”

The Panthers begin their 2025 season in Las Vegas against the Sharks on March 2.

The Tigers face the Knights on March 7.

The Tigers face the Panthers in Round 14 on June 8 at CommBank Stadium.

Originally published as $6 million contract clause rocks NRL, exposes club’s dangerous gamble