NRL’s war with players union over pay deal set to escalate
A heated pay dispute between the NRL and its players is expected to escalate this week after a final offer from Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys was rejected.
Rugby league players could tape over the NRL logo on jerseys or delay kick-off by five minutes in an attempt to pressure the governing body to meet their desired terms and conditions for a new enterprise agreement. But the move is likely to infuriate NRL executives and could end up in court.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and RLPA boss Clint Newton. Getty, Getty
Sources close to the process, who requested anonymity to speak freely about talks, said board of The Rugby League Players Association, which is led by Manly Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans, had voted to reject a proposal which offered $1.4 billion in total player payments from 2023-2027 and a concession on the overhaul of the way players move between clubs.
Mr V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo will be informed of that decision this afternoon, according to the sources.
The Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) is the representative body of elite rugby league players and is in charge of promoting the welfare and interests of its members.
Rejection of the offer by the RLPA is the latest hurdle in a long-running war between the NRL and the rugby league players association, which has become more focused on control of the tournament rather than payment of players. The RLPA was approached for comment.
The spat went public late last year when players started publicly slamming the governing body and accused senior officials of disrespecting them. Citadel Magnus partner Brett Clegg was brought as independent mediator, after six months of strained, unsuccessful
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