2022 Salary Cap was $9.118m. Media is reporting that the Panthers are expecting a 2023 Salary Cap of $9.3m. A difference of $182k.
That allows for 2.6 minimum wage players to be upgraded at the proposed RLPA rate.
With an extra team in the competition, and talent being naturally dispursed, all clubs will rely further on minimum wage players this season, not less.
The NRL need to get this deal over the line, so I'm expecting they'll budge the most - and will likely be something like $130k minimum wage, and a $10.25m salary cap for 2023, increasing to $150k and $11m by 2026.