The player agent who negotiated the "biggest contract in rugby league history" predicts the National Rugby League's first A$2M ($1.46M)-a-season man is just "two or three years away" courtesy of the game's next broadcast deal, according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Gavin Orr was the "mastermind" behind the "lifetime" agreement struck between Daly Cherry-Evans and Manly, ensuring his "star client" earns A$10M ($7.3M) over a decade. Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston and Jarryd Hayne were "among the first" to crack the "magical" A$1M ($730,000)-per-season mark in the post-Super League era, but Orr predicts the game's elite "will soon command double that figure." Orr: "I think it could happen in just two or three years. I think the top four or five players will still be paid like they do in any other sporting franchises around the world. Those guys putting bums on seats deserve to get that, but also the sponsors line up for them to endorse their brand and TV networks want them on because it boosts their ratings" (SMH, 8/11).
ALL BUT GUARANTEED: In Sydney, Brad Walter reported the NRL's deal with Channel Nine "is set to guarantee the introduction" of a central command center as the bunker system "offers opportunities for the broadcaster to commercialise video referee decisions." Channel Nine is "keen on a bunker concept similar to those used in the NFL, NBA and NHL as it will reduce the amount of stoppage time in games and reduce delays to program scheduling on the network," particularly the 6pm news that follows the live 4pm Sunday afternoon game. NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg has recommended the central command center be introduced "after being trialled at 14 matches this season but there have been reservations over the cost" (SMH, 8/11).
