Inside an official NRL player contract and its incredible contents | Read the 293-page document

A CODE Sports’ special investigation has obtained an official NRL player contract which details in more than 293 pages the commitments and expectations that each player must agree to. READ THE ENTIRE CONTRACT

This is an NRL contract like you have never seen before – from the powers that the NRL integrity unit holds to the amount of free tickets players are able to receive for milestone games.

This masthead has obtained an NRL contract which details in more than 200 pages the commitments and expectations that each player must agree to in order to play at the elite level.

Some of these include;

INTEGRITY ISSUES

The Salary Cap Auditor has the authority to examine, copy and download records stored on various devices (such as computers, hard drives and smartphones).

The auditor may:

– Take possession of the device to conduct the examination.

– Download stored data from internet servers, including emails.

– Copy data from any relevant devices.

– Create a complete copy of data using imaging technology.

If any device is password-protected, the club must provide the password and any necessary information promptly upon request. Clubs cannot deny the auditor’s powers by citing the presence of personal information on the devices.

ACTIVITY

The player agrees not to participate in any football match or sporting activity without prior written consent from the club, which will only be granted with the NRL’s approval. Additionally, the player may not engage in any sporting or leisure activities not sanctioned by the club and NRL unless:

* The risk of injury is minimal.

* Such participation does not hinder the player’s obligations.

* There is no prearranged media coverage.

* The player does not receive any payment, directly or indirectly.

TICKETING

For each NRL match the player plays, the club will provide the player with four of the best available seats and a car park pass upon request. If the player is allowed to drive himself to the match, the club will reimburse him for reasonable carparking expenses, provided he submits appropriate receipts.

Long suspensions can have pay repercussions. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

SUSPENSION

If the player is suspended for more than eight matches in a year by the club, NRL, NRL judiciary, Anti-Doping Tribunal, NRL Appeals Committee etc the club may deduct a sum equal to one-thirtieth of the playing fee for each match of suspension from the player’s playing fee.

MILESTONE MATCHES

When a player hits a major milestone (eg 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 games), clubs can pay for economy airfares and reasonable accommodation for up to two family members to attend the game. This does not count toward the salary cap. Other fringe benefits (flights, hotels, transport for family, car insurance) are counted in the salary cap — unless specifically excluded for milestone games or community visits. If a player is injured in an away game and needs special travel back home such as business class flights the club must organise and cover this if the medical officer signs off. It won’t be included in the cap.

Josh Papalii celebrated his 300th game last year. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

PRIZE MONEY

Prize money will be excluded from the salary cap provided; the prize money is distributed evenly among the players who participated in the match, the distribution occurs within one month of the club receiving the prize money and no more than half of the prize money is distributed to the players.

Originally published as Inside an official NRL player contract and its incredible contents | Read the 293-page document