NRL CEO Todd Greenberg open to introducing a transfer window
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg says he is open to introducing a transfer window following a summer of record player signings.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg says he is open to introducing a transfer window following a summer of record player signings.
The perfect period for player negotiations has been hotly debated in rugby league for many years.
At present, clubs aren’t allowed to negotiate with off-contract players until November 1.
Players then have the entire season to secure a new deal, which has opened the door for players to sign with rival teams a year in advance.
Last year former premiership-winning halfback Jamie Soward labelled the contract system a “joke”, as it allowed Brisbane star Ben Hunt to sign a multimillion-dollar deal at St George Illawarra with one year remaining on his contract.
Soward proposed the NRL introduce a transfer fee policy, similar to club football in lucrative sports like the English Premier League.
RELEASE: Brennan approach triggered move
TRANSFER CENTRE: Player movement ahead of 2018
These calls were supported by North Queensland coach Paul Green, who suggested the NRL crack down on clubs trying to tempt players to make early transfers before their contracts are up.
The current contract system has also frustrated fans, who find it difficult to be loyal given all the player movement.
Greenberg would welcome change, but says he is conscious of any new system creating more speculation.
“I’m open to finding a better solution if there is one, but we’ve got to be careful that we don’t make rules that then get passed into cafes and corridors of private conversations,” Greenberg said.
“At the moment it is pretty transparent about the dates and the players are transparent.
“But I’m conscious that if we make changes we don’t want to push things underground where it just becomes innuendo — which is what the game went through maybe five years ago.
“It is interesting though, because there has been a lot of players movement, which has created a lot of good content for people and lots of debate for fans.
“But I also understand the flip side that fans get disillusioned when players are leaving.
“The short answer is we have an agreement with the RLPA to consider other options for the transfer window.
“I’m not sure there is a silver bullet with a perfect solution but we are open to looking at it again this year.”
The NRL’s chaotic movements, especially when players sign with a rival club with years remaining on their deal, has prompted some fans to say a contract isn’t worth the paper it is written on.
Greenberg has heard these suggestions, but he doesn’t agree.
“What you’ve got to understand when players are either released or vice versa — it takes two in that negotiation,” he said.
“If a club doesn’t want to release a player, then they simply won’t release him.
“Also, if a player doesn’t want to leave — he will stay.
“So when both parties are subject to that contract, then there is a deal for both to come to the table.
“When people say it is not worth the paper it is written on, it still needs both to agree to change their contract.
“The players enjoy free trade agreements under their current CBA and that is a good thing for the players.
“So I’m happy to listen and if there is a better way, we’ll look at it.”