NRL 2022: Latrell Mitchell’s new contract to make him highest paid NRL player in history

Latrell Mitchell is poised to become the highest paid rugby league players in history – and he’s worth every single cent, writes Phil Rothfield.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 11: Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs celebrates victory during the NRL Elimination Final match between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Latrell Mitchell is now the most valuable player in rugby league, bar none.

Way more valuable than Cameron Munster, Joe Tapine, Ben Hunt, Joseph Suaalii or any other player who comes onto the open market in two months’ time.

In the course of his next contract he will become the highest paid player in rugby league history.

He is in a different league.

Some are even suggesting the superstar fullback could be a $2 million player once you throw in third parties.

Latrell Mitchell is worth 14% of South Sydney’s salary cap. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Don’t laugh. Latrell is not just a great football player but a one-man marketing phenomenon.

He could get $1.4 million in the salary cap and another $600,000 in endorsements.

Nike, Adidas, Telstra, Fox Sports, Kayo, Channel 9, Powerade, Kellogg’s, Rebel or Fitness First – everyone wants a part of him.

You look at all the great players from the last decade – Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith, Tom Trbojevic or James Tedesco.

Latrell clicks turnstiles and attracts eyeballs to the TV coverage more than any of them.

He’s the biggest superstar in the game by the length of a footy field.

In fact he’s on another planet. No-one has his personality, his charisma or his magnetism.

You cannot take your eyes off him on a football field.

Latrell is free to talk to rival clubs in two months.

Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly says the talks with Latrell have been put on hold until the end of the season.

Latrell Mitchell is a one-man marketing machine. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

They want no disruptions while the team is still alive in the race to the grand final.

The Latrell contract will be the biggest story of the off-season.

The NRL salary cap is tipped to rise to $12 million in the next CBA.

The champions like Nathan Cleary get as much as 12 per cent of the cap.

If Latrell gets the same he’ll be on $1.4 million a year in the salary cap.

The Daily Telegraph’s recent Rich 100 list revealed Nathan Cleary as the game’s highest paid player on $1.3 million a year.

His magnificent Friday night performance against the Parramatta Eels was proof he is worth every penny of that amount.

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Latrell has the same influence on the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Souths have a 78.2 per cent win record with Latrell playing and 58.6 when he’s missing.

This isn’t just about his value as a great football player.

It’s the Latrell brand.

He’s not a robot like some players. He doesn’t talk in cliches.

He has an influence on young people – not just in the indigenous community – that is next level.

Like we’ve never, ever seen before.