CEOs: Let's change jersey numbers
It was meant to be the chief executives meeting that decided upon the future of the NRL's salary cap.
Instead, the biggest development to come out of the meeting revolves around player's jersey numbers.
The five club CEOs involved South Sydney's Shane Richardson, the Roosters' Steve Noyce, Brisbane's Bruno Cullen, Newcastle's Steve Burraston and Canberra's Don Furner all supported the salary cap as it stands, despite the controversy caused by the Melbourne Storm scandal and the looming departure of Bronco Israel Folau to rugby or the AFL.
"We are all working within the cap and we all want to find the best ways forward but, in the end, it comes down to how much the clubs can afford to spend," Richardson said.
"We are not talking about one or two 'poorer' clubs but the majority."
The only real change suggested by the CEOs was to remove the current system whereby player jersey numbers reflect their position.
Such a move would allow Jarryd Hayne, for example, to decide against wearing the fullback's No.1, and instead choose any number he wished No.23, say and keep that number throughout his career.
It's a model used in the AFL, European football and American sports, and importantly for the CEOs could lead to a significant merchandising boost for clubs and players.
"It allows fans to identify with a favourite player when they are at the game and when they purchase a jersey," Roosters boss Steve Noyce said.
"The way positions are today, the numbers do not really reflect where people actually play and there is a chance for people to better identify with their favourite player.
"There are only two sports that retain numbers based on position and it is time we moved on."
