NRL: Peter V’landys assembles $90m State of Origin rescue package

Despite Peter V’landys securing last-ditch funds, NRL players are still set to cop an 80 per cent pay cut in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

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NRL players face an official pay cut of 80 per cent — and will lose $73 million collectively — despite ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys sourcing additional millions in a last-ditch funding package tabled on Friday night.

The Courier-Mail can reveal V’landys increased the NRL’s offer from $12.4 million to $19.2m during pay talks with the Rugby League Players Association and a four-man club committee including Broncos boss Paul White.

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ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys has found funds for an Origin relief package to ease player pay cuts. Picture: AAP.

But despite V’landys finding an extra $7 million, it will not be enough to insulate the NRL’s 480 full-time players from a crippling financial blow in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Each club’s roster will lose about $4.5 million in wages this year from the COVID-19 saga.

The revelation comes as the Queensland Rugby League backed plans for a $90 million State of Origin rescue package in a bid to provide extra funds for NRL players as the code fights to stave off bankruptcy.

RLPA boss Clint Newton will meet with leading delegates over the weekend to discuss the NRL’s final offer, but the playing collective appears to have little choice but to accept V’landys’ revised package.

In a further setback for NRL players, it is understood there is an estimated $10 million shortfall in funds for the RLPA’s retirement account. Payments for the past three years have not been made. Monies for the account are required to be paid in full by the end of the current broadcasting deal in 2022.

The $10m would have been crucial funds at a time when players are fighting for every cent, but without it, the NRL’s beefed-up $19.2m offer equates to a further six weeks’ wages with each player to receive $35,000.

Pay talks between the RLPA, the NRL and a four-man club committee hit a pothole when NRL boss Todd Greenberg came under fire during negotiations for failing to disclose the code’s full financials.

Pay talks between the NRL and RLPA had hit a pothole. Picture: AAP.

The RLPA argued it could not agree on a specific pay-cut percentage without a true picture of the NRL’s financial state and the precise amount that was left for the players.

But V’landys’ late injection of funds has given the RLPA a chastening view of the precious little money in the NRL’s coffers for the final six months of the 2019-20 financial year.

The QRL believes player-pay conditions would improve if the NRL finds room in an abbreviated schedule for State of Origin, which is estimated to generate $89.5 million in revenue this season if played before crowds.

Last year’s Origin series delivered around $12 million in profits, the type of surplus that could ease the financial pain for NRL players.

“We can’t kill off State of Origin,” QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said.

“We understand the priority is the season but we want to have a talk with the NRL sooner rather than later for clarity around Origin and the possibilities.

“Cancelling Origin is the last thing the NRL should consider.

State of Origin must go on says QRL boss Bruce Hatcher. Picture: Getty Images.

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“When you look at the revenue needed to make sure players are paid and clubs don’t fold, State of Origin can help the situation.

“We have to play Origin this year. It’s our Melbourne Cup. It’s our showpiece event.”

Queensland selector Darren Lockyer urged State of Origin to go ahead with any profits to be spread among the NRL’s entire playing group.

“Even if the NRL puts a line through the season, playing State of Origin generates tens of millions from a whole-of-game perspective,” he said.

“Origin is one way to generate some income for the game and the rest of the players who comprise the entire competition.

“The 34 players representing NSW and Queensland could generate money to go into the pool to help the rest of their colleagues in the game.

“The Origin big guns have to be selfless and help others.”