Who's responsible for Benji Marshall decision to request a release?

STEPHEN Humphreys could do worse than pick up the phone and get some advice from NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert.

STEPHEN Humphreys might not be speaking publicly, but he could do worse than pick up the phone and get some advice from NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert.

Just as Schubert has been painted as the villain responsible for conceding Israel Folau to rugby, Humphreys stands to be crucified for making the unfulfilled promise that's supposedly triggered Benji Marshall's exit from the NRL.

While Tigers fans turned on Marshall on Monday night for requesting a release, anger will switch to those responsible for letting him go once rugby union starts to cash in on the Kiwi superstar's marketing prowess.

Whether it be with the NSW Waratahs, Auckland Blues or a Japanese car manufacturer, the franchise that lands Marshall will be doing a great PR service for the code from next week.

BENJI WANTS OUT OF THE TIGERS

A SAD DAY FOR THE TIGERS

 Marshall is the second-most marketable footballer in Sydney, research shows.

 That places him above Folau, illustrating just how much more promotional clout rugby league is about to hand over to its rival.

This time, however, fans cannot blame the NRL for not doing enough to stop the bleeding.

While Schubert could have done more to accommodate Folau and prevent him from joining the Waratahs late last year, he's powerless to influence Marshall's decision.

So who is responsible?

Marshall's camp claims his disillusionment stems from the breakdown of a verbal promise to offer him a two-year extension.

The player has accused former Tigers CEO Humphreys of making this promise.

Tigers insiders concede the extension was discussed with Marshall and his advisers but dispute any suggestion the five-eighth was entitled to believe his future depended on it, saying it was subject to board approval.

So the rugby league world waits to hear from Humphreys, the man supposedly responsible for creating such unrealistic expectations.

But when contacted Monday night, Humphreys declined the chance to give his side of the story.

Until he provides a public explanation, Marshall's reasoning will fill the information vacuum and paint Humphreys as the villain.

That's not quite fair, given the playmaker could be using the broken promise as a smokescreen for his average relationship with new coach Mick Potter.

Marshall exchanged heated words with Potter after his axing from the starting side in round 10, and the pair's relationship has been in damage control since.

So too has Marshall's form, which bottomed out when he failed to find touch at a crucial stage in the Tigers' loss to Cronulla.

Having reviewed the situation as a whole, the Tigers board has clearly determined Marshall is not worthy of an extension.

But out of respect for his services and unrivalled pulling power, they offered him an upgraded deal valued at $1.5 million over the next two years.

Marshall knocked it back, possibly sensing a chance to escape Potter while still being portrayed as the victim.

But the only victim in this sad saga is rugby league.