The Rugby League Players Association "fired a warning shot across the bow" of the National Rugby League by revealing it wants a fixed share of the game’s revenue from '18 and "will oppose any move to outlaw clauses in contracts whereby player salaries are linked to increases in the salary cap," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN.
The RLPA "has been pursuing a fixed percentage of the game’s revenue for years but the NRL has refused to play ball." RLPA CEO Ian Prendergast "is intent on bringing about change," fueled by the recent events that have resulted in the players’ share of revenue slipping below 25%. Prendergast agreed to meet "freshly minted" NRL CEO Todd Greenberg on a monthly basis, although negotiations over the collective bargaining agreement are not expected to begin until later this year.
Once those talks "heat up," the RLPA will pursue a fixed percentage of revenue -- the players currently receive about 25%, "although that figure is not mandated."
Prendergast said, "Players need to be considered genuine partners in the game. ... We want to make sure we never find ourselves in the position we do through the (current) review in terms of having to go to the NRL and putting a case to protect the players’ share. Their share needs to be guaranteed."
Asked whether 25% was enough, Prendergast said, "I think you could mount a pretty strong argument that it is not compared to sports overseas." The NRL "is staring down potential battles on two fronts." Aside from the players, the game’s governing body is yet to formalize "an agreement with its clubs over their share of the game’s revenue." Money is not "the only issue." The clubs "also formed a committee to review the game’s constitution as they seek to have a say in the appointment and retention of commissioners" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 4/8).
