The National Rugby League is "expected to increase its salary cap offer as negotiations over the collective bargaining agreement with players reach a critical stage," according to Margie McDonald of THE AUSTRALIAN. The chairs and CEOs of all 16 clubs have been summoned to NRL HQ at Sydney's Moore Park on Wednesday to "hear the NRL's latest offer." In April, the NRL advised clubs to work toward a salary cap of A$8.3M ($6.17M) from '18, "when the new broadcast deal kicks in." With other player payments "such as car allowances, long-serving player allowances and development contracts included," that figure would be around the A$8.84M ($6.57M) mark. But two weeks ago, the Rugby League Players Association "drew up its own wishlist of payments" and that started with a base salary cap of A$9.1M ($6.77M) to cover 26 players in the first-grade squad. The NRL wants top squads of 30 players. The RLPA also proposed an additional A$900,000 ($669,200) be "set aside for players outside a top squad of 26 players." So the players' union's final figure would be close to A$10M ($7.4M). However, there is reportedly a "counteroffer to be put on the table" Wednesday by the NRL which would have a base cap "in the vicinity" of A$9.1M-A$9.2M ($6.77M-$6.84M). It is further understood the NRL "will not budge in its stance against paying players a set share of the game's total revenue." The RLPA wants 29% (THE AUSTRALIAN, 5/17).
