The likely prospect of NFL San Francisco 49ers player Jarryd Hayne returning to the National Rugby League next year "has put lifelong friends and rugby league icons Phil Gould and Nick Politis on a collision course," according to Phil Rothfield of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. And standing between them in an "uncomfortable position" is Hayne’s veteran agent Wayne Beavis, "who counts the Roosters supremo and Panthers general manager among his closest mates." Both Gould and Politis confirmed that "they will bid for Hayne’s signature should the former Parramatta Eels champion pull the pin on his stalled NFL career at the San Francisco 49ers." It "would ignite the biggest chequebook war in rugby league history." Both Gould and Politis "have the connections and contacts at the big end of town to get the required third party sponsorship and then back-end a contract that would make Hayne the highest paid footballer in Australia in any of footy codes." Not that either are yet convinced Hayne "will be coming home." At least "not publicly." Gould: "My understanding is that Jarryd will not be giving up on his NFL dreams. Nor should he. What he has achieved in 12 short months is nothing short of extraordinary." Both clubs "want Hayne as a marketing initiative as much as a footballer." The increase in sponsorship, crowds, membership and overall exposure "would be worth the millions it will cost them on a contract" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 11/18).
