NRL players contemplating striking over the lack of salary cap increases *article*

[fourplay]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21442509-23214,00.html

Willie willing for Origin strike

March 25, 2007
BULLDOGS star Willie Mason says he is prepared to lead a player strike during the State of Origin series in protest over the NRL salary cap.
The Australia forward has called for the salary cap to be raised, saying players are becoming frustrated that the likes of Parramatta back Timana Tahu are being lost to rugby union and that young up and comers are getting paid "bugger all" to train as hard as professionals.
Mason has also launched a stinging attack on the Rugby League Professionals Association, saying the "players union is weak and does nothing for the players".
"It's time for the players to make a stand about the salary cap, and if that means going on strike, well I'm in," Mason wrote in his Sunday column in Fairfax newspapers.
"To really make a point, I vote we strike during the State of Origin series.
"What really gets to me is the fact rugby league has rarely been in a stronger position.
"The NRL has just signed a $90 million sponsorship deal with Telstra and it makes millions from State of Origin and electronic media rights, and yet the salary cap has barely moved over the past few years.
"It is about time we saw exactly how much the game earns and we received a bigger slice of the action.
"A strike wouldn't be good for the game and I stress it's a last resort.
"But to do it when it would hurt the game most - during Origin - is the only way the players can be heard."
On the RLPA, Mason wrote in The Sun-Herald: "The Rugby League Professionals Association, our players union, is weak and does nothing for the players.
"Yet, how can we expect the RLPA to represent our best interests when it is partially funded by the NRL?
"That money has compromised our union . . . how can we expect 100 per cent support.
"The RLPA's relationship with the NRL leaves us with one weapon - to strike."

AAP


I think Mason has a good point.. the money going into the game has increased ten fold yet there has barely been any pay rise for the players who bust there backsides week in week out. The players are the ones who should profit most out of the game.. instead the funds are beign redirected and lining the pockets of the people running the NRL on the business side of things and going places elsewhere. When the NRL won't listen, threatening a strike may be the only way to get them to pay attention.

With something like an extra $80 million a year going into the game from the new TV deals etc. and only a $500 000 increase in the salary cap, the players are obviously being ripped off.

 

[Balmain_Boy]

How much did pay increase in the 90s with SL? They weren't complaing about that being out of line with revenue increase. We finally have enough to keep developing grass roots and the bloody players want to take it.

I say ban anyone who strikes.

 

[Balmain_Boy]

IT'S TIME for the players to make a stand about the salary cap, and if that means going on strike, well, I'm in. And to really make a point, I vote we strike during the State of Origin series.
I don't say that lightly. My frustration is shared by other players. We're filthy that some of our best players - Timana Tahu is the latest - are being lost to rugby union while our sport's up-and-comers are being paid bugger all even though they train as hard as professionals.
This isn't about player greed. I know I'm well paid but I am prepared to make a stand that may benefit a future generation of players.
What really gets to me is the fact rugby league has rarely been in a stronger position. The NRL has just signed a $90 million sponsorship deal with Telstra and it makes millions from the State of Origin and electronic media rights - and yet the salary cap has barely moved over the past few years.
It is about time we saw exactly how much the game earns and we received a bigger slice of the action.
The Rugby League Professionals Association, our players union, is weak and does nothing for the players. Yet, how can we expect the RLPA to represent our best interests when it is partially funded by the NRL? That money has compromised our union . . . how can we expect 100 per cent support?
I saw how strong the NFL players' union was when I went to New York for a trial last year. It put the players first, down to the number of hours they could train each day. The AFL players association also has a good say in the running of their game.
The RLPA's relationship with the NRL leaves us with one weapon - to strike. A players' strike during origin would send a clear and powerful message. It would show we can't be walked over. If it takes a giant stand for the greater good, for the next generation, I'm prepared to do it and I know the players would support me.
Guys like Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns are near the end of their careers. They have tried for years to do something about this and have got nowhere. I want results.
There needs to be more money for up-and-coming players because the minimum wage is too low. It's wrong that there are blokes who train as hard as I do at the Bulldogs but they get paid stuff all for their hard work. While I acknowledge the effort is worth it for the opportunities a great club like Canterbury can provide, the pay is unfair if you're a fringe first-grader or you play premier league.
We must stop rugby union from poaching our best talent. How can the NRL consider it good business to allow the best players to go to rugby? Rugby union was a game no one gave a toss about until Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers were allowed to defect.
Now rugby has recruited Timana Tahu, one of the best athletes I've seen, at his absolute peak and it hasn't done a thing to develop him.
Rugby has hit the panic button because it doesn't have anyone coming through the ranks.
A strike wouldn't be good for the game and I stress it's a last resort. But to do it when it would hurt the game most - during origin - is the only way the players can be heard.
It would prove that without us there is no game.

 

[VictorTheViking]

To be honest im inclined to agree with him, he makes some very valid points, especially about the up and coming players, but what stance will the nrl take? With gallop already slamming the door on Ricky Stuarts marquee theory, I doubt they will take much notice at all.

 

[fourplay]

We finally have enough to keep developing grass roots and the bloody players want to take it.

The NRL clearly have enough money to develop the grass roots of the game and increase the salary cap. I think that they are just putting the players last as usual on their list of priorities. I don't think increasing S.O.O player payments is the answer either. It would only weaken NZL as if SOO payments increase over tests too much then we might see players choosing to play for Aus instead just for financial reasons.

 

[Sugar]

Players going on strike could be the start of another super league lets hope this does not happen again,If the NRL wont bow to willies demands what will he do start his own league.

If the cap is raised the NRL should coff up the extra cash for the clubs and make sure the clubs spend the extra cash on their rookies and juniors and not throw huge offers at topline players.
Or have 2 separate salary caps that can be adjusted yearly one cap for players who have played over say 100 first grade games and another cap for rookies and players who are 1 or 2 season into their career.

 

[Choppies]

I fully agree with him.
The amount of the salary cap is a joke.
It should have gone up a bit each year since 98 and should be 6 million, minimum now.

 

[Y2Eel]

Increase the second year salary cap then if willie is worried about "young up and comers are getting paid "bugger all" to train as hard as professionals."

And increase the amount players get for representing, City country, State of origin and National matches...

 

[dragonfire]

ripped off getting 400k a year, give me a break. The top guys getting that much money dont need any more at this point, however i do agree some of the guys at the bottom of the payscale need to be paid more for their hard work and committment, prime example was Stapleton trying to provide for a family of 4 on only 45k. I do agree however that the guys playing SOO should get more money for those games, they are probably the most intense 240 minutes of league in the whole season.

 

[mattyg]

f**k off mate, willie said in the article that he is well paid but it is about future generations of players. Sometimes i wonder if people read the article with Willie Mason's name attached to it before posting garbage. Mason said all article that the strike was for the players who are like Stapleton...earning stuff all money and training as hard as the superstars. Mate learn to read before posting dribble.

 

[effnic]

No one would pay what union is paying for tahu in the nrl anyway so im sure he was on his way out anyway.

 

[Phillips]

"To really make a point, I vote we strike during the State of Origin series.

once again proves how much of a dickhead he is

 

[BrisVegas]

It's interesting to note that in 2006 the NRL's salary cap was $3.36 million while the AFL's salary cap was almost twice that amount at $6.47 million. The AFL Players Union also manage to have their salary cap lifted to $6.9 million this year, and it will raise to $8.23 million by 2011. The NRL will likely be wanting the new $4 million dollar cap to stay in place for the next few years.

NRL players have a right to question the NRL when their AFL counterparts are clearly receiving the better deal.

 

[vlad]

It would prove that without us there is no game.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[aids]

joel clinton all but booked himself a origin spot with his domination of mason on friday night.

 

[Inferno]

It's interesting to note that in 2006 the NRL's salary cap was $3.36 million while the AFL's salary cap was almost twice that amount at $6.47 million. The AFL Players Union also manage to have their salary cap lifted to $6.9 million this year, and it will raise to $8.23 million by 2011. The NRL will likely be wanting the new $4 million dollar cap to stay in place for the next few years.

NRL players have a right to question the NRL when their AFL counterparts are clearly receiving the better deal.

True, but then again an AFL team's top squad probably has double the amount of an NRL team.

 

[Ice777]

It's interesting to note that in 2006 the NRL's salary cap was $3.36 million while the AFL's salary cap was almost twice that amount at $6.47 million. The AFL Players Union also manage to have their salary cap lifted to $6.9 million this year, and it will raise to $8.23 million by 2011. The NRL will likely be wanting the new $4 million dollar cap to stay in place for the next few years.

NRL players have a right to question the NRL when their AFL counterparts are clearly receiving the better deal.

AFL clubs have more players on their lists that the money has to be distributed to so it stands to reason their cap is higher.

Does anyone know the number of players the NRL teams have to pay that falls inside their cap? Unless it's changed, the AFL clubs have 42 players on their list which equates to around $164,000 as the average payment. Just interested to see if it differs to rugby league and if so by how much either way.

 

[legend]

Ben Cousins earns over 800k per year so why shouldn't the marquee NRL players?

Players have a limited lifespan playing the game so they need to make hay while the sun shines.

The lowest common denominator theory espused by many here is the very reason the game can never grow.

A $4 million cap is a joke and I'd support the players 110% if they chose to strike for better conditions. Has anyone here never gone out on strike?

IMO, the only way to solve this is toget News Limited out of our game for good and then you will see the game truly prosper without all the self serving hidden agendas.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

I'd rather see specific concessions introduced than a raised salary cap. Concessions for 1 club players over a certain time period or for players under 21 to promote junior development. Raising the salary cap might help keep players in League but then you'll have clubs who are in rebuilding stages paying mediocre players alot more than their worth which some clubs just can't afford.

 

[Clock watcher]

Lets strike, bring the game back into trouble watch the sponsors walk away lose fans in droves and then we can all watch AFL. Great plan Willie, then you can p!ss off to the NFL and let us get on with it. This isn't about the grass rout players or low income players, this is about the bulldogs trying to keep Omealy, Utai and El-Magic. Every time a side looks like losing some big name players they want a salary increase. Maybe these sides should stop buying new talent and try to keep there own??????
Just my 20c worth