National Rugby League Gold Coast Titans CEO David May has urged the Australian Rugby League Commission to sort out the "messy situation" that has left the code without a definitive salary cap figure just six weeks from the '13 premiership kick-off, according to Peter Badel of the COURIER-MAIL. The Rugby League Players' Association and ARLC chiefs had "appeared to find common ground" before Christmas when a number of high-powered talks over pay-related issues "allayed fears of possible strike action." But ahead of the Roosters-Souths season-opener on March 7, the code's key stakeholders have "yet to formally sign off on a collective bargaining agreement" and a proposed A$5.85M ($6.17M) payment ceiling for '13. It is expected the salary cap figure will be locked in next month, but many CEOs, including May, are "dismayed by the delay." May said, "If you look at the business side of the club, it is difficult to plan when this is the biggest cost of your business." Several top-liners are "holding off contract talks" until the determination of the salary cap. A leading agent said that the ongoing talks "had tested the patience of many." The agent said, "We're 25% into the pay year at the end of this month and there is still no decision on the salary cap. It's a farce" (COURIER-MAIL, 1/23).
