PARRAMATTA have stumbled into their own Book of Feuds with NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert, who wants to include Nathan Hindmarsh's autobiography in their 2012 salary cap.
Eels officials were stunned when Schubert last month contacted them with questions about why Hindmarsh's book deal had not been registered as a third party agreement (TPA) with the NRL.Although Parramatta played no role in securing the recently retired legend a book deal, the club is now facing a five-figure penalty.
Schubert has used his unfettered discretion to value Hindmarsh's earnings from the book, Old School, at $20,000.
Under a strict application of NRL rules, all deals that earn players additional remuneration must be approved by Schubert before they can be executed.
Hindmarsh's management did not alert the NRL, exposing Parramatta to the possibility of having the $20,000 included in last year's cap.
Because the club finished 2012 on the $4.2 million limit, the development is likely to result in a breach.
Eels chairman Roy Spagnolo was so disappointed he personally appealed to ALRC opposite John Grant.
But Schubert is standing his ground, with Parramatta CEO Ken Edwards last night confirming the club was still arguing its case.
"Yes there is an issue and we're having dialogue with the NRL about it," Edwards told The Daily Telegraph.
Hindmarsh was also aware of the situation when contacted yesterday, but referred inquiries to his agent Daniel Zammit. Zammit could not be contacted for comment.
The stand-off comes amid growing frustration among players about the salary cap, which is looking less and less likely to meet their expectations over the life of the NRL's new broadcast deal.
The Hindmarsh detente comes at a delicate time for the Eels, who are also struggling to convince Schubert to allow them to sign Israel Folau on a minimal base contract next season.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-2012-salary-cap/story-e6frexnr-1226523110979
Eels officials were stunned when Schubert last month contacted them with questions about why Hindmarsh's book deal had not been registered as a third party agreement (TPA) with the NRL.Although Parramatta played no role in securing the recently retired legend a book deal, the club is now facing a five-figure penalty.
Schubert has used his unfettered discretion to value Hindmarsh's earnings from the book, Old School, at $20,000.
Under a strict application of NRL rules, all deals that earn players additional remuneration must be approved by Schubert before they can be executed.
Hindmarsh's management did not alert the NRL, exposing Parramatta to the possibility of having the $20,000 included in last year's cap.
Because the club finished 2012 on the $4.2 million limit, the development is likely to result in a breach.
Eels chairman Roy Spagnolo was so disappointed he personally appealed to ALRC opposite John Grant.
But Schubert is standing his ground, with Parramatta CEO Ken Edwards last night confirming the club was still arguing its case.
"Yes there is an issue and we're having dialogue with the NRL about it," Edwards told The Daily Telegraph.
Hindmarsh was also aware of the situation when contacted yesterday, but referred inquiries to his agent Daniel Zammit. Zammit could not be contacted for comment.
The stand-off comes amid growing frustration among players about the salary cap, which is looking less and less likely to meet their expectations over the life of the NRL's new broadcast deal.
The Hindmarsh detente comes at a delicate time for the Eels, who are also struggling to convince Schubert to allow them to sign Israel Folau on a minimal base contract next season.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-2012-salary-cap/story-e6frexnr-1226523110979
