SCOTT PRINCE'S manager, Steve Robinson, says the Gold Coast star could earn at least another $150,000 per season if the NRL relaxed third-party agreement rules.
Robinson told the Herald that club sponsors were keen to get involved with Prince, but were prevented from doing so because of the rules.
Existing club sponsors can spend $150,000 per year on players, with a ceiling of $50,000 for any individual player. The money can be split between anywhere from three players to 10.
Prince, who is out injured, is co-captain of the Titans and their best player, but is not one of the so-called marquee players earning any of the $150,000.
"[Luke] Bailey and [Preston] Campbell were among the first players who signed for Gold Coast when the club was getting off the ground and they each got the $50,000 marquee payment in their deals," Robinson said yesterday.
"Then Princey came on-board, but at that stage there was a limit of two players for marquee deals. It went up to three later, but Scott had already finalised his contract and the third-party deals have to be done as part of the contracts. Mat Rogers ended up getting the remaining marquee payment."
Third-party agreements with sponsors who are not existing club backers are not restricted, as long as they are not with a sponsor whose product is in direct opposition with a club or NRL sponsor.
Robinson said Prince had several deals with sponsors not connected to the Titans, but that their total value was still under six figures. He said Prince's best earning potential - outside of his contract money - would be with existing club sponsors.
"I don't think there is any doubt Princey could pick up another $150,000-plus per season in third-party payments if the rules were relaxed," Robinson said. "Numerous sponsors of the Titans have told me they would like to do something with Scott, but they are prevented by the rules."
Robinson would not reveal what Prince earns from his club, but the Herald understands he is getting $440,000 per season on a deal that runs for another two years after this season - with an option for Prince to take a further year.
That makes Prince one of the highest-earning players in the competition, but on his form this season he is worth every cent. He was the NRL's form player before he broke his arm playing for Queensland in Origin III.
Robinson said Prince accepted he was well paid, but that like every footballer his career on the field was limited. And like anyone else, Prince had the right to try to earn as much as he could.
Robinson added that Sonny Bill Williams walking out on the Bulldogs to play rugby union in France had further highlighted the potential for players to be lost overseas. He said if there was the potential for star players to earn more through sponsorship, then the NRL should consider changing the rules to allow it.
"The league has relaxed the third-party rules to some degree already and that was a good move," Robinson said.
"But there are still significant restrictions and if relaxing them helps keep star players in Australia, that is obviously a good thing for the clubs and the NRL. League in England is still the biggest threat when it comes to attracting NRL players.
"I should point out that Scott isn't interested in playing rugby union. He loves playing in the NRL and he wants to play more Origin and more Test matches. He may consider playing in England later in his career.
"But if there is the potential for a star player who is good for the game, like Scott, to earn more through sponsorship then I think it's worth looking at making it possible for him to do that. As long as everyone involved was honest and upfront about deals then I believe a relaxing of the rules would work.
"Scott is great for the game. He looks good, he speaks well, he's enthusiastic and he doesn't get into any trouble. Putting his face on things would promote the game, as well as him."
