Daly Cherry-Evans backflip leaves Titans and their third party partners in the lurch
DALY Cherry-Evans was to become the “king of the Gold Coast” with the Titans signing off on third party deals less than 24 hours before the star backflipped.
NRL
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DALY Cherry-Evans was about to become the “king of the Gold Coast” with the Titans signing off on third party deals less than 24 hours before the Manly star backflipped on his four-year deal to join the Titans.
Proving just how shocked and blindsided the Titans were by the Cherry-Evans decision, it can be revealed that third party arrangements were lodged by the Gold Coast with the NRL on Tuesday evening.
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Sources on Wednesday confirmed $300,000 in third party deals had already been lodged with the NRL, with the last contract finalised just 24 hours before the star’s stunning backflip.
The Titans had agreed to pay Cherry-Evans $950,000 under the salary cap for 2016, with third party deals secured more than five months before he was due to arrive at the club pushing his annual income to $1.25m per season.
Third party deals had been stitched up with four media outlets, construction companies, water companies, city council and other organisations that would have made the star half the face of rugby league on the Gold Coast.
Cherry-Evans was to be for the NRL what Gary Ablett is for the Gold Coast Suns in the AL.
A prominent Gold Coast identity had been a major player in helping source Cherry-Evans third party deals on behalf of his management, but all those contracts are now null and void with the star player turning his back on a move north after signing a “lifetime” deal with Manly.
“It wasn’t just third party deals with money, he could’ve built his brand here. He could have been the king of the Gold Coast,” the source said.
“He would’ve just been the man. We had him as an ambassador for the Gold Coast through the council. Him and Gary Ablett. It’s just so sad, he just got bad advice.”
It is understood the management of Cherry-Evans had been pushing for all third-party deals to be finalised in writing before the Round 13 deadline, even though no money could change hands until at least November when he officially joined the Titans.
Other prominent businessmen on the Gold Coast have told how they had offered to enter TPAs with Cherry-Evans and were told to contact his management company, but never received any feedback and were left jaded by the entire situation.
Titans CEO Graham Annesley said the club had been aware of several TPA deals for Cherry-Evans and had approved those through the NRL.
“I don’t want to name specific companies because it could embarrass them, but we had deals in place,” he said.
“We did have some third parties already agreed, and they have been approved by the NRL.
“There was a variety of deals, including media ones, but they will not eventuate now.”
Annesley said the fact Cherry-Evans could renege on his Titans deal, more than three months after he agreed to terms, had left him “disillusioned” with the entire NRL contract process and welcomed news that round 13 clause was to be removed forever.
“Probably disillusioned is a better word than anything. He hasn’t broken any rules. You’d like to think that when someone makes a commitment that they honour that commitment,” Annesley said.
“He for his own reasons has decided not to do that and there is nothing we can do about that.
“It’s very unfortunate and we’re obviously very disappointed by it. This will not in any way shape or form diminish this club’s determination to be successful.
“We will move on. We will target other players who will fit into the culture and aspirations this club has and this club will have success.”
Originally published as Daly Cherry-Evans backflip leaves Titans and their third party partners in the lurch
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