Ryan
Journey Man
I was just thinking guys, of what things we could do to improve the game, and retain and ATTAIN new fresh players, and here were my thoughts.
1. Each year, July 1 (for tax purposes) each club nominates TWO players that are listed as the "Marquee" players of their clubs, and are registered as such. Now, these players are completely exempt under the salary cap, and can be paid by whatever means are necessary. Example, a team sponsor can use their services (say Brett Stewart and Smiths Crisps), and pay them a motza for it. Clubs still get paid their NRL grant, so this could also go toward marquee signings.
2. The salary cap remains the same. What this means for the remaining 23 players though (due to point 1) is that the "average" income will rise by an additional $43k per annum, which will also help retain players. This also means the NRL doesn't have to pay more money.
3. As soon as any non marquee player is selected for any official NRL or ARL form of representative football, they are ellegible for a 5% loading PER GAME (not included in the salary cap) on their annual average contract wage. Example:-
Anthony Laffranchi has signed a 4 year $900,000 contract. That equates to $225,000 per year (he might actually could be getting paid something different - but average is used). 5% of $225,000 = $11,250.
This is to be paid by the ARL, NRL. If Laffranchi then played all 3 origins, plus an International, he'd receive an additional $45,000 from the NRL / ARL for that year. If he does it all 4 years of his contract, he'd end up getting $1,080,000 all up, or $270,000 per season, and his club isn't penalised for producing a representative type player.
4. Marquee players are paid a flat fee of $15,000 per representative game.
5. Tenure is very important. Exemption from salary cap begins at year 10 from 1st game played not just in 1st grade, but includes the lower grades including SG Ball and Harold Matthews. Exemption tiers:-
Year 10 - $20,000
Year 11 - $40,000
Year 12 - $60,000
Year 13 - $80,000
Example. Steve Menzies started playing SG Ball with his Eagles at 15. Beaver is probably the longest one club player, so a prime example. Steve is now 34, and therefore has been playing at The Eagles for 19 years. That,s 10 years that include the exemption amount, or a $200,000 salary cap exemption allowed for that player.
This will instill players wanting to remain at one club long term. The exemption must be used on the subject player.
__________________________________________________ ____________
Now, what are the risks associated with the above salary cap rule changes?
1. Making an uneven competition. Bronco's may be able to go out and purchase better players than say The Rabbits.
+ Current clubs already have marquee players (but aren't getting paid marquee dollars). The Bulldogs have Sonny Bill Williams, yet The Sea Eagles are still able to beat them.
The marquee rule then means if the money is right, we can go after a top Union player or two, hell, we may even go after the best French Rugby Union prop. This will only attract more viewers, more fans, and more money into our already great game. This additional revenue, and acquisition of high profile players, will create an overall higher level of interest in the game, and will pull fans through the gates.
If The Bronco's CAN afford the best player in the world, they'd only be buying a player like Inglis from The Storm, and that just wouldn't happen with the players they already have.
We have a great product, and I bet our marquee players would be players already IN our competition. There may be a massive signing from union or something, but that news being released would be a heck of a lot better than players defecting.
Anyway guys - just my thoughts. Rather than complaining about it, I thought I'd try and make some remedies.
Thanks for your time.
1. Each year, July 1 (for tax purposes) each club nominates TWO players that are listed as the "Marquee" players of their clubs, and are registered as such. Now, these players are completely exempt under the salary cap, and can be paid by whatever means are necessary. Example, a team sponsor can use their services (say Brett Stewart and Smiths Crisps), and pay them a motza for it. Clubs still get paid their NRL grant, so this could also go toward marquee signings.
2. The salary cap remains the same. What this means for the remaining 23 players though (due to point 1) is that the "average" income will rise by an additional $43k per annum, which will also help retain players. This also means the NRL doesn't have to pay more money.
3. As soon as any non marquee player is selected for any official NRL or ARL form of representative football, they are ellegible for a 5% loading PER GAME (not included in the salary cap) on their annual average contract wage. Example:-
Anthony Laffranchi has signed a 4 year $900,000 contract. That equates to $225,000 per year (he might actually could be getting paid something different - but average is used). 5% of $225,000 = $11,250.
This is to be paid by the ARL, NRL. If Laffranchi then played all 3 origins, plus an International, he'd receive an additional $45,000 from the NRL / ARL for that year. If he does it all 4 years of his contract, he'd end up getting $1,080,000 all up, or $270,000 per season, and his club isn't penalised for producing a representative type player.
4. Marquee players are paid a flat fee of $15,000 per representative game.
5. Tenure is very important. Exemption from salary cap begins at year 10 from 1st game played not just in 1st grade, but includes the lower grades including SG Ball and Harold Matthews. Exemption tiers:-
Year 10 - $20,000
Year 11 - $40,000
Year 12 - $60,000
Year 13 - $80,000
Example. Steve Menzies started playing SG Ball with his Eagles at 15. Beaver is probably the longest one club player, so a prime example. Steve is now 34, and therefore has been playing at The Eagles for 19 years. That,s 10 years that include the exemption amount, or a $200,000 salary cap exemption allowed for that player.
This will instill players wanting to remain at one club long term. The exemption must be used on the subject player.
__________________________________________________ ____________
Now, what are the risks associated with the above salary cap rule changes?
1. Making an uneven competition. Bronco's may be able to go out and purchase better players than say The Rabbits.
+ Current clubs already have marquee players (but aren't getting paid marquee dollars). The Bulldogs have Sonny Bill Williams, yet The Sea Eagles are still able to beat them.
The marquee rule then means if the money is right, we can go after a top Union player or two, hell, we may even go after the best French Rugby Union prop. This will only attract more viewers, more fans, and more money into our already great game. This additional revenue, and acquisition of high profile players, will create an overall higher level of interest in the game, and will pull fans through the gates.
If The Bronco's CAN afford the best player in the world, they'd only be buying a player like Inglis from The Storm, and that just wouldn't happen with the players they already have.
We have a great product, and I bet our marquee players would be players already IN our competition. There may be a massive signing from union or something, but that news being released would be a heck of a lot better than players defecting.
Anyway guys - just my thoughts. Rather than complaining about it, I thought I'd try and make some remedies.
Thanks for your time.