National Rugby League club Parramatta "is continuing to pay Jarryd Hayne" at least A$50,000 ($37,300) this year "despite the fact he left the club to pursue his NFL dream," according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
Hayne "remains on the Eels' books, although it's believed the payments don't count towards the club's salary cap." Parramatta "has engaged its own auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), to forensically pore over the books following salary cap breaches" that resulted in a A$465,000 fine and "could force them to start four points adrift if there is a repeat before the start of next season." Hayne "unwittingly became embroiled in the dramas" when it emerged a A$15,000 air fare -- part of a study trip to the U.S. -- "was one of the alleged breaches." The fact that Hayne "is still being paid came as a shock to Eels officials given the fullback was the party which asked for, and was granted, a release when the club could have dug in its heels." It is all the more surprising "given the late decision left Parramatta without enough time to adequately replace their best and most marketable player." It is expected the club "will investigate what the payments are for and why they are continuing." According to a press release the club issued in October, "Hayne has signed a 'lifetime agreement' with the Eels, so if he chooses to return to the NRL, he will come back to Parramatta without question" (SMH, 7/14).
