Last Wednesday I was reading the entertaining news of Benji Marshall returning to rugby league for a few hours. In online reading time, that is roughly the equivalent of an eternity.
Articles after articles. Opinions after opinions. Rumours after rumours.
Rugby league players have the attention span of, well, a rugby league player and the critics that day had the energy of a rabbit that has had an overdose on a caffeine/sugar cocktail.
For Marshall, it was tough.
In what looked like a panicked state of mind, the media quickly had the bright idea to bring Marshall to the front headline, the sort of news which we’ve regrettably visited far too infrequently of late.
Rejection from clubs and Marshall’s desperation came hand in hand. But this wouldn’t be the typical news story where I’d spend time digging through other people’s websites. Instead I’d be waiting only for a decision from the player himself.
Everything was not going according to Marshall’s plan, until I saw this headline:
“Benji given early release from Blues.”
Hey – no argument from me there. Guess I’ll have to put off my bets for Marshall’s early NRL return.
But wait! An article from sportal line says “Kirwan compares Benji Marshall to Michael Jordan.” And wouldn’t you know, that’s when I had my argument.
But before you go thinking that this was a fine gesture on behalf of the Blues coach, you must realise that they’re not in the business of giving away players, especially not of the priceless variety.
This comparison was actually not a joke but a real one, comparing Benji Marshall, from the Wests Tigers, and Michael Jordon, the famous American basketball player.
Kirwan’s generous words, which will no doubt score a handful of mint criticism, will put Marshall through more controversy. The distraction of newspaper hype, ready to burst at the seam from being confined to no “real” facts, made me forget which club wanted Marshall.
Oh well. But back to the comparison, since Jordon is the reason for my argument in the first place.
The first thing that caught my attention was that Marshall was paid around $1 million a year out of a salary cap of $6million. Jordan was paid $31 million in one season out of a possible salary cap of $59 million (he was paid more than half the team’s salary cap).
Very nice Jordan!
Of course, Marshall’s salary expectations had to be taken away within a couple hours of the former Wests Tigers player arriving home. It turned in to a projectile with a target set square in the middle of his career.
Next thing that caught my attention was the bargain table. Marshall left rugby league to play in union for more money.
On the other hand, Jordan left basketball and had high hopes for his future to play baseball. This change of code, believe it or not, was a massive pay cut for Jordan.
We also have to insert the fact that Marshall has won one premiership, while Jordan won six rings, multiple MVPs and more.
I have no clue how Jordan could possibly be associated with this former West Tigers player and nowhere on the article are there stated odds, so I won’t get my hopes up as we rip through the days to come when an NRL club buys Marshall.
Also, I’m not sure whether to expect another salary cap bust but I’m sure I’ll know it when I see it. It looks like Marshall is going to go with the Cronulla Sharks. I guess that’s what he will appreciate after picking the “light blue jersey”.
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