Benji Marshall of the Wests Tigers (centre) in action during their NRL Round 14 match against the Parramatta Eels. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renee McKay
It’s official: despite their lavish lifestyles and the fact that they play sport for a living, The Sun Herald has revealed that a huge amount of NRL footballers, including some of the games biggest stars, believe they are underpaid.
The July 10 edition of The Sun Herald recently conducted their yearly NRL players forum for 2011. One of the issues raised surrounded whether or not NRL players were fairly paid or underpaid in comparison to rival code the AFL.
The results of the forum showed that a whopping 75 per cent of NRL footballers believe they are not getting their financial worth for fulfilling their requirements as a professional rugby league player.
Such requirements are (but not limited to) attending media press conferences, fulfilling weekly training requirements, and, of course, playing professional NRL football for a minimum of 24 rounds of the regular season.
The biggest NRL stars may also have to play State Of Origin, Test football or other representative matches such as the City versus Country match or the Indigenous All Stars game, which kicks off the new season.
According to The Sun Herald, AFL stars such as Adam Goodes receive a yearly estimated sum of $700,000 a year. In comparison, the NRL’s highest profile player Benji Marshall ‘only’ receives an estimated sum of $400,000 a season.
Among the 75 per cent of footballers who believe NRL players are underpaid are representative stars such as Andrew Ryan, Michael Ennis, Matthew Scott, Brent Tate, Jarrod Mullen, Akuila Uate, Trent Waterhouse, Issac Luke, Dave Taylor, Tom Learoyd-Lars, David Shillington, David Williams, Matt Ballin, Jamie Lyon, Anthony Laffranchi, Feleti Mateo and Gareth Ellis.
The gap between the salaries presented by the AFL and the NRL does not concern me here. What concerns me the most is a professional footballers inability to put their earnings into perspective with that of the whole of society.
According to an article by CareerOne editor Cara Jenkin published on news.com.au this year, the average Australian full-time worker receives just under $66,000 per annum – a whopping $334,000 less than the estimated salary of NRL stars such as Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.
From an ethical and moral standpoint, I do not understand why a considerable amount of the NRL’s best players believe they are not getting their desired salary.
While I will not deny that there is a gap in the salaries presented by the AFL and the NRL respectively, such a gap should not encourage NRL players into believing they are not getting their money’s worth, especially when one considers the fact that these athletes are playing professional sport for a living.
What is amazing from my point of view concerns the fact that the NRL’s broadcasting rights deal to be announced soon will most likely deliver the wage increase that rugby league footballers feel they deserve.
But when these wage increases do occur, I doubt that these players will remain content with their improved pay packets. I write this because NRL superstars such as those mentioned above, will begin to argue why they deserve the pay-packets distributed by some of the world’s biggest leagues including the NFL, NBA, the EPL and the MLB.
Personally, NRL footballers really should stop complaining and comparing their yearly salaries to other sporting codes.
This driven obsession for wealth and power continually frustrates NRL supporters such as myself who are encouraged to show support for NRL club’s by using our hard earned cash to attend regular season matches, help sell-out State of Origin fixtures and buy merchandise to help promote and preserve the code’s strong following in both New South Wales and Queensland.
I, for one, would like to encourage newspapers such as The Sun Herald to put up an NRL’s supporters forum so that the average Australian earning $66,000 a year may have their say on whether or not these professional athletes are getting paid enough for their efforts on the sporting field.
I would definitely be interested to hear what my fellow citizens think of this matter.
william low
Guest
in comparison to afl, yes the nrl stars are underpayed but in general they earn enough
BigJoeCes
Guest
Over here in the states our national rugby league I participate in we do not get paid a penny, and our travel expenses are at players discretion. If you don't have the money hopefully someone on your team can help pay for your flight and hotel room otherwise no rugby for the weekend. Then again rugby is still up and coming here, hard to find sponsors since they all want to post commercials. If it wasn't for fundraisers and a few small sponsors not even at corporate level, our teams in the states would have to fold. What ever happened to athletes playing the game for the love of the sport
Jaceman
Guest
The NRL shouldnt get too excited about extra money from the TV rights deal...From the Age this morning In the last broadcast agreement, every AFL club - after some turbulent negotiating - received $1.2 million a year, $6 million in total over the length of the deal. $1.2m a year means not a lot after inflation or $60k extra for the top 20 players...
The Cattery
Roar Guru
It's an interesting question. The AFL have recently used the Suns and Giants, both of which have been used previously by various sports. I have to admit, the Bombers is actually a good nick name for a League club, in fact, probably suits League better than Australian Football (where we generally try and avoid bombing it). However, it's a rather unique moniker. For instance, I can't imagine anyone every using Rabbitohs again.
GrecoRoman
Roar Guru
If this is the real deal, I'd be surprised if there wasn't a problem with Essendon. There are teams that share the same monicker in AFL and the NRL, but that was before each comp focused on expansion to a national level.
yewonk
Guest
here, there is no money. understand chopper no money here. does not matter if they are underpaid there is no money. perhaps players should take more responsibilty in attracting more members and crowds and then get a better cut from that. as me i would love to play nrl for a bag of chips.
PaddyBoy
Guest
Have to laugh at the comment on that link. How can you have two teams with the same name, obviously never been to Manchester or Milan, probably more, bu they spring to mind. On a side note, how bad are all the "Red Bull" teams all over the shop.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
More on the Brisbane Bombers story: http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/07/13/brisbane-bombers-set-to-take-flight/
Nathan
Guest
Forty games is a hell of a load for a full contact sport, my hats off to them. Must go through a lot of deep heat.
GrecoRoman
Roar Guru
Not too bad a name. I still think the 'Reds' monicker is best - short for 'Rednecks' and sums up Queenslanders perfectly. They even chanted it at the Reds' games - "We are Reds! We are Reds!". Maybe they could have gone for "Bourbons" or the like if they were so keen on that alliteration effect.
Nathan
Guest
Uhh .... right. Jonathon Brown's facial reconstruction surgery would beg to differ but I understand you can only go by what you've seen. I'd suggest searching on You Tube for "Aaron Sandilands Phil Davis" if you ever wanted an example but I suppose its not terribly relevant to where you are. Cracking big hit though!
GrecoRoman
Roar Guru
To be fair, Adrien is from France and has limited exposure to the game. It's like all the one-eyed RL fanatics claiming that RL is the toughest sport in the known galaxy, but they wouldn't be anywhere near as tough as Olympic Judokas and Wrestlers. Understandably, we are not exposed to those sports in our country, so they wouldn't know.
Nathan
Guest
I don't understand, April Fools was freaking months ago?
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Speaking of NRL/AFL comparisons, the name "Brisbane Bombers" has just been registered, looking to be the 2nd Brisbane team in 2013: http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/brisbane-based-expansion-bid-team-hoping-to-take-off-in-the-nrl-from-2013-as-the-bombers/story-fn2mcuj6-1226094039485?from=public_rss
pete
Guest
Well you didn't bloody watch very hard, unless your only description of contact is running head first into a brick wall.
mushi
Roar Guru
What does "it's a free country" mean? Isn't this american reffering to the bill of rights?
turbodewd
Guest
Players are right - the season is too long. Ditch City v "Country" for a start :^)
turbodewd
Guest
Theyre not overpaid at all old chap. Free country isnt it? Any person is entitled to whatever money comes their way by hard work, talent or luck. Theyre entitled to what they currently earn.
Adrien2166
Guest
maybe when their team is attacking but in defense the players in the middle are all commited
Adrien2166
Guest
the only time i watched, there were not any contact