http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19638145-23214,00.html
NRL set to raise salary cap
June 30, 2006
THE NRL and Rugby League Professionals Association have signed a new collective bargaining agreement which includes an increase in the salary cap and minimum wage.
The salary cap will rise to $4 million a year, up from $3.366 million, while the minimum wage for the top 17 players in each club will jump from $37,500 to $55,000.
The next eight players will earn at least $50,000.
Under the four-year agreement which starts in 2007, the salary cap will rise to $4.1 million in 2009 and 2010.
Representative payments will also increase significantly, with State of Origin players to earn $12,500 per game as opposed to the current $8500 for a win and $6500 for a loss.
Australia representatives have secured a $1000 pay rise to be paid $6000 per Test.
The agreement also includes more welfare, education and employment support for players.
NRL chief executive David Gallop and RLPA boss Matthew Rodwell both welcomed the agreement which they said had been met through vigorous, but positive, debate.
"We're confident the players will be very comfortable with what's being presented to them under this new deal," Rodwell said.
"We've got potential increases to the salary cap which are very important. The players will appreciate that for the first time we're in the position to share the rewards of the game as it continues to improve. "The players would have loved to have seen more money in the salary cap but we were shown the books and we understood more clearly the financial position the game was in.
"We agreed on the level of the salary cap which both parties were comfortable with and which the game can afford and that allows other money to be spent in other areas, particularly grass roots."
Clubs will be able to arrange third party sponsorship for one more player, with the agreement increasing from $100,000 for two players per club to $150,000 for three.
The NRL and RLPA are still working on establishing a scheme for compulsory accreditation for player agents.
