Outsider Nasser puts Paterson in a bind
Brent Read From: The Australian May 18, 2011
NEWCASTLE forward Cory Paterson's attempt to find a new club hit a snag yesterday when the NRL warned it would not register any deal negotiated by his agent Khoder Nasser.
The edict, delivered by the Rugby League Player Agent Accreditation Committee (RLPAAC), also means NRL clubs have been warned off approaching Nasser over another of his star players -- dual international Sonny Bill Williams.
Paterson has another year on his contract with the Knights but the club -- on the advice of its incoming coach Wayne Bennett -- has given him permission to leave at the end of the season.
He may have to negotiate the deal himself given the NRL's hardline stance on Nasser.
"Currently, Khoder Nasser is not qualified to act as an agent in rugby league," RLPAAC operations manager Neil Cadigan said.
"The rules quite clearly state that any contract negotiations by an agent who is not an accredited will not be registered by the NRL.
"That is absolutely clear and categoric. He's not accredited. The fact is we won't consider applications again until September. We only consider applications every six months."
Nasser, who also handles the affairs of Williams, said he would speak to Paterson today.
"I have been overseas," he said. "I will see him in the next 24 hours."
The NRL has adopted a similar stance with a number of player managers in recent years, most notably when Willie Mason was on the search for a new club.
Mason's manager Greg Keenan did not have accreditation and he was forced to use Sam Ayoub to do his deal.
Williams is off contract after the rugby union World Cup but is expected to sign a one-year extension to continue playing in New Zealand, or head to France.
After that, he is expected to be open to offers for cashed-up NRL clubs, who will be flushed with funds thanks to a new broadcasting deal, which begins in 2013.
NRL chief executives are in the throes of projecting potential salary caps for 2013 and beyond based on the size of the next broadcasting deal.
The cap is expected to be at least $5.5 million for 2013 with gradual rises in following years.
That could put clubs in position to launch a bid for Williams. Already Parramatta and the Sydney Roosters, who yesterday off-loaded Queensland forward Nate Myles for next year, have been linked with the former Canterbury star.
