National Rugby League side Parramatta Eels and Jarryd Hayne's management have "formed an understanding over merchandise" that features his trademarked "Hayne Plane" brand after the club produced T-shirts featuring his NFL San Francisco 49ers jersey number 38 and slogans that proclaim "All Aboard" and "Dream Big," according to Daniel Lane of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Parramatta has disputed the suggestion that it was "in breach of Hayne's trademark" and the club is also selling official Eels jerseys from its online store which feature No. 38 on the back and are being sold for A$100 ($70.91). Neither Hayne or his management "had any knowledge of the white T-shirts being sold on the club's online store." The Hayne Plane brand was registered before Hayne left Australia to try out for the NFL and it is registered in Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. On Sunday, Hayne condemned an unofficial Jarryd Hayne fanpage on Facebook, lashing out at an unauthorized T-shirt that was being advertised for A$19.99 ($14.18). The T-shirt -- which is not associated with Parramatta -- contained his image and NFL number. He posted, "This isn't my fan page nor did I give permission for anybody to use my image or number. These are rip offs n people trying to earn money off my hard work." On Thursday morning Hayne's agent, Wayne Beavis, said that he had not spoken to Parramatta about the T-shirts before adding it was "crucial Hayne's brand was protected." An Eels spokesperson said on Thursday afternoon that Hayne and the club were "in the process of negotiating deals that would be mutually beneficial." The spokesperson said, "The club are in discussions with Jarryd's representatives regarding commercial opportunities both here in Australia and overseas. Both parties are excited about the potential considering the size of the Eels supporter base and Jarryd's long-term relationship with the club" (SMH, 9/10). Writing in THE AGE, former 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice wrote of Hayne, there are "only a few players in the NFL that when the ball comes to them, everyone is expecting something special." I "expect that with him." He has got "that vision on the field -- something I always had." When I caught the football, I could see "exactly where everyone was coming from." That is "unique." I think he has got "that type of vision." When you have that, "which a lot of players don't have that, the sky is the limit for this man." This is "totally different from football in Australia, but this guy just had that x-factor about him." You could see it, and you knew that he was "going to do something special." I think it is a "great accomplishment what he has done" but I think there is "still more to come with him." He is "only going to get better" (THE AGE, 9/10).
