ANDREW Johns will reportedly turn down a lucrative offer to switch codes and announce a new two-year deal with National Rugby League club the Newcastle Knights.
Johns.. tipped to stay with league / file
Sydney radio station 2GB said the star halfback was expected to confirm re-signing with the Knights and also a "long term Channel Nine deal".
Johns had been tempted by a two year deal to play five-eighth for the NSW Waratahs rugby team.
It is believed Johns will announce his playing future on Channel Nine tonight, ending weeks of speculation and boardroom deals.
Johns was reportedly close to signing with the Waratahs on Tuesday until one of six companies which were set to add a combined $450,000 a season to tip Johns' potential annual earnings from rugby to $1 million delayed confirming their involvement.
But it appears a last ditch meeting organised by NRL powerbrokers yesterday convinced Johns to stay in league.
NRL boss David Gallop called an emergency meeting yesterday morning with Johns's manager John Fordham and News Limited chief executive John Hartigan. News Ltd is a 50 per cent owner of the NRL.
The meeting unveiled a long-term media deal for Johns who has impressed with his TV commentary work for Channel Nine while he recovers from a season-ending knee injury.
Reports today said rugby union's bid to sign Johns hit a snag after Channel Seven, rugby's free to air rights holder in Australia, refused to become involved in the bid.
Channel Seven's corporate development director Simon Francis said there had been a formal approach to Johns with Fordham meeting with network's chief executive David Leckie last Friday.
But Seven did not make any commitment because of uncertainty over the future of their 10 year television rights agreement to screen Wallabies' matches.
Their existing deal expires in 18 months and Francis said it would be "another 12 months" before the deal was re-negotiated.
The Knights reportedly could almost match what rugby offered financially but Johns had been tempted by the challenge of trying a new sport.
The Waratahs' package reportedly included a $450,000 endorsement package from three sponsors, a $110,000 base contract and $50,000 in Super 12 match payments.
His annual potential earnings would be bumped up to $1 million if he played for Australia (earning $10,000 a Test and up to $100,000 a season) and additional ARU payments for tours and camps ($50,000-$300,000).
The Knights deal reportedly fell just short at $943,000 a season and included a $400,000 endorsement package, a $500,000 season base contract, up to $18,000 for Origin matches and up to $25,000 for Test matches.
