The National Rugby League is "considering a salary cap for football department spending in a move that may impact on the amount of money clubs can pay big-name coaches" such as former Newcastle Knights coach Wayne Bennett, according to Brad Walter of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. NRL officials discussed the idea during the "recent salary cap review and are monitoring how the amount of money each club spends on its football department translates to on-field success." The salary cap idea has gained "renewed support within the NRL" following the Australian Football League's introduction of a "soft" cap on football department spending from next year and Bennett's decision to "put himself on the market after announcing last week that he would leave Newcastle at the end of the season." An NRL spokesperson confirmed the issue was "under consideration but said there were no immediate plans to include coaches' wages in a salary cap." The spokesperson said, "As part of the recent salary cap review, it was identified that the total football department spend of each club may need to be considered for a separate cap in future. That would potentially include the coach, head trainer, physios, trainers and other football staff" (SMH, 7/15).
