NRL pay deal with players plans for the worst-case scenario

The NRL and the players’ union have struck a pay deal to navigate the code through the coronavirus crisis.

Rugby League Players Association chief executive Clint Newton: ‘Players will share in this pain while games are suspended.’ Picture: AAP

The NRL and the players’ union have struck a pay deal to navigate the code through the coronavirus crisis, giving the players a say in future salary cap cuts and guaranteeing the existing contracts in the game.

The two bodies on Thursday night confirmed more than a week of delicate negotiations had culminated in the players receiving $24.6m, the deal covering two months wages and payments.

Players will effectively surrender five months of pay — more than 70 per cent of the money they are owed over the remainder of the season — if the competition is unable to resume before the end of the year.

Some officials are hopeful they can return to competition as early as June 1, although most club administrators believe July is a more realistic timeline.

The $24.6m accessible by the players includes $5.4m emanating from the liquidation of the injury hardship fund.

Players will further receive 29.5 per cent of any further net revenues over the remaining years of the deal.

The game has also revised the retirement fund to allow players early access and retain rights and involvement surrounding any revisions to the salary cap and player benefits.

The RLPA will be included in key discussions — including with broadcasters and regarding the future competition structure and scheduling.

Further, they will conduct a special purpose audit to continue with the transparency of the game’s current and future financial status. Existing playing contracts will otherwise remain protected.

“This is a difficult time for our game and the wider community and the challenges we face are immense, and unprecedented,” NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said.

“The players understand the severity of the circumstances we face and have demonstrated their willingness to work with us to secure the best possible outcome to protect the long-term future of our game.

“I know it hasn’t been easy and I thank the RLPA and the playing group for their maturity, professionalism and diligence in helping us reach this solution.”

RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said: “The entire community has been impacted by these extraordinary and unexpected circumstances. Our great game and our people are feeling those effects.

“The coronavirus pandemic has placed the game and its people under huge pressure and players have assumed the responsibility, like many others, to ensure the future of our clubs and the NRL is protected.

“Players will share in this pain while games are suspended and have done what was required to ensure the game’s short- and longer-term future. However, we want to be clear that this arrangement is based on the worst-case scenario, should we not get back on the field in 2020.

“Based on the current financial position of the game, the information we have been provided and the guarantees we have secured, we believe that this is a fair deal and we have secured the best outcomes for our members, while ensuring they are protected and included upfront in decision making long-term.”

South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly said there will need to be changes to the way revenue money is spent to keep salary cap reduction to a minimum.

“Clearly the future that was set in the CBA for 2021 and 2022 was set on some pretty ambitious revenue targets for the sport,” he told Fox League. “It’s unlikely we’ll get to those revenue targets and almost every aspect and every part of the game is going to have to wear some of that reduction in revenue and I suspect the salary cap will be one of it.’’