ARL Commission chairman John Grant is hopeful of signing off on a new collective bargaining agreement by Christmas, with the latest round of talks all but extinguishing the prospect of an All-Stars boycott.
As the NRL unveiled another financial windfall via a naming and digital rights deal with Telstra worth more than $100 million, players and the league moved closer to a resolution as to how much of the pie the game’s stars will get.
While careful not to describe a deal as imminent, there was a sense of positivity from both sides on Wednesday, with all parties to return to Rugby League Central on Thursday to continue negotiations.
“I think we’re really heading towards common ground,” Grant told AAP.
“I’m optimistic. It would be lovely to say this would be done before Christmas, that’s not a drop dead comment at all, but optimistically it would be great if we could.”
That sentiment seemed a long way away from the tone earlier in the week, when players openly discussed the prospect of strike action and reports the ARLC would set the cap on its own if the players did not relent on their demands.
The players are seeking a salary cap of $6.5 million per club, up from the current $5 million, and a minimum wage of $80,000 – figures they claim are a fairer share of the game’s financial position following the $1.025 billion broadcast deal negotiated earlier this year.
Grant said players were handed a revised offer on Wednesday.
“They’ll now consider that … we’ll go away with a joint understanding of what we need to do next,” Grant said.
“You really do sense a greater understanding on both sides of what needs to happen, our job now is to make it happen.”
NSW and Cronulla captain Paul Gallen described Wednesday’s talks as the most productive of the negotiating period.
“The NRL has come back with a really good offer today,” Gallen said.
“They’ve moved a long way from where they first started.
“As players we’re definitely getting to where we need to be. We’re not there yet but it’s not too far off.”
As for the prospect of a pre-Christmas resolution, Gallen said: “We’re not too concerned about the date when we get a final answer.
“We just want the right deal done … hopefully before Christmas, you never know.”
Grant said the new naming and digital rights deal – worth more than double the previous deal – had already been factored into CBA discussions with players.
The new five-year deal will continue Telstra’s sponsorship of the NRL into a 17th year, a record for a sports naming rights sponsor in Australia.
A key plank of the new deal will see NRL matches broadcast live on mobile phones and tablets across all networks.
Bearfax
Guest
At least its a start. It will assist a little in keeping some players in their ranks and dissuading others from leaving the sport. But I suspect money issues in League will always be an area of potential conflict
Pot Stirrer
Guest
What i found intersting is the players are happy now that the bulk of the cap increase is for the "Marque player allowance"
Mals
Guest
Oikee, I am surprised you haven't go Anderson's mobile number on your speed dial ;-) I do hope Anderson takes a good hard look at the obstruction rule, clarifies what is & isn't a shoulder charge, torso rule is rubbish get rid of it, scrap benefit of the doubt in try scoring. 80K min wage for 2013 - I think this is fine, make it increase in line with inflation from 2014 onwards.
oikee
Guest
80 thousand minimun wage is too high for next year. It should only be 70 and raise by 3 thousand each year after, which is just under 5% rise each year which would bring them into line with normal wages for most the public. So in 5 years time the minimun wage would be around 87 thousand. Anything above that is too high, way too high depending on the next deal outlook. I think 5.8 million cap is maybe a little high, i would have liked to see 5.5 million in the first year with the same gradual increase over 5 years, around 3-5 % That is 1.5 million raise on the salary cap for next year. Most clubs wont need it next year as players are already signed and delivered now. That extra cash can come in handy for clubs debts and other expenses. I see Lockyer and Bennett are messing around with Golden point rule, not one mention of the torso rule. No worries, cant wait for next year and Sterlo asking the Question, hold on, did that come off his chest, did he touch it with his hands. :) Rabbits, no it looks like it might have come off his arm. ????? "Benifit of the dought" right their boys. hahaha. Cant wait. Looking forward to a complete stuff-up. I hope Daniel Anderson is reading this.