Out of curiosity, what is the solution you refer to?
Okay maybe it is rocket science but these are my initial thoughts-
1. Salary Cap determined by NRL 3 years in advance.
2. TPA cap of 1 million total with limit of $125 per player. Scrap arms length rule it’s just dumb and unworkable.
3. If a player makes his first grade debut at your club then after 5 years continuous service as a player to the club then 50% Of his salary is applied to the salary cap with a maximum of 6 players subject of discount per season.
4. Players, coaches, player and coach managers/agents must be licenced and sign a contract agreeing to be bound by the published NRL rules. If they don’t agree they can enjoy current contracts but after those contracts have expired they can go elsewhere.
5. Clubs must provide detailed and transparent salary cap and TPA cap annual report to the NRL and be subject of annual and random audits.
6. The NRL not register a contract unless:
i) All parties to contracts and agents involved are accredited by and registered with the NRL.
ii) a contract cannot be entered into and or executed on a date before 1 November of the year immediately before the season commences in the following year (4 months before commencement of following season) to which the contract applies for its first or only season.
iii) multi year contracts can be registered provided they apply with 6(ii) above.
(iv) clubs, players, coaches and or managers/agents not permitted to enter into contract negotiations and to make an offer until the day following the grand final date of the season immediately preceding the first season to which the contract applies.
iv) impose sanctions including deregistration of offending individual and or club and deregistration of player contract.
v) mid season transfers outlawed.
vi) if a player breaches a contract leading to termination of the contract by the club then the player cannot have a contract with another NRL club registered until the following season with the rules above to apply.
vii) All contracts for the season to which it applies must be lodged for registration with the NRL by 1 February immediately preceding the kick off date for that season.
7. players are not permitted to receive any payment or fringe benefit from the club or third party sponsor in excess of the Salary cap and TPA cap above. Yep a restraint on earnings.
8. No coaching staff salary cap but if a club becomes insolvent it’s licence shall be suspended and put out to tender.
Any other ideas?