Todd Greenberg’s pay haircut in line with NRL players

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has agreed to take the same pay cut as the players.

In the spirit of negotiations, NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg plans to accept the same pay deal as the players Picture: Getty Images

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has agreed to take the same pay cut as the players in a move that is expected to help get a pay deal with the players union across the line.

Greenberg and his executive team initially took a 25 per cent pay hit after the ARL Commission targeted head office in their attempt to make ends meet during the coronavirus crisis.

That prompted the Rugby League Players Association to query why the players were being asked to take a 46 per cent hit, yet the game’s hierarchy were foregoing significantly less.

The NRL late Wednesday confirmed that Greenberg would match the player cuts following further talks between the governing body and the RLPA.

Both confirmed the deal was expected to be finalised shortly, the NRL having committed to amend the players’ retirement fund by putting in the $10 million that was due under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

“I want to acknowledge the players for their cooperative and collaborative approach to these discussions,” Greenberg said.

“As I have said from the beginning, we are in this together and so in the spirit of our partnership, I have offered to take the same salary deal as the players. To me, it is the best and most sincere way of reflecting my appreciation of the way these discussions have been handled. ”

RLPA chief executive Clint Newton will put the revised proposal to players on Thursday and the expectation is that they will accept the deal, removing one of the most significant impediments to progress.

In the background, the NRL and its newly-formed innovation committee – christened Project Apollo – have begun working on when and how the season can resume as optimism grows that rugby league players can hit the field sooner rather than later.

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has targeted a July 1 start date, although there have been whispers that the competition could resume behind closed doors in June should the COVID-19 infection curve continue to track as it has in recent days.

The sense is that the NRL will seriously consider resuming the competition should the infection rate drop to same or similar rate as when the competition was shut down.

Greenberg said he would continue working with the ARLC on scenario planning for the 2020 season, and on plans for protecting the long-term sustainability of the game.

That is likely to take the form of cuts across clubland, in particular within football departments.