NRL clubs have pushed back against a proposed marquee player allowance for the Perth Bears to help the expansion club attract a headline star in what shapes as a test case for Peter V’landys’ anticipated bid to become executive chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission.
The Bears, who will become the NRL’s 18th team next season, have struggled to lure big names to the west ahead of their maiden campaign.
After lobbying from club directors, the ARLC has proposed granting the incoming Mal Meninga-coached franchise spending concessions.
This would permit a club sponsor to pay a Perth recruit 20 per cent on top of their existing salary up to $200,000, which is otherwise not allowed under NRL salary cap rules.
It means they could offer a $1 million player up to $1.2 million, giving the Bears an edge in a player market which has been turbocharged by the Australian government-backed PNG Chiefs dangling tax-free salaries.
However, the allowance is being resisted by the existing 17 teams, who have outlined their position after being consulted by the NRL.
The total Perth would be able to have sponsors pay players would be capped at $500,000 a year under the scheme, but clubs argue it is at odds with the competition’s level playing field and the terms under which the NRL-owned Bears were admitted to the league.
“All the clubs understand the challenges the Perth Bears face and are happy to consider proposals to support them. We’ve been offering this support to the ARLC for nine months,” one club chief told this masthead, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
“We don’t think the marquee player proposal is right – but happy to propose and consider other solutions.”
Another club boss said: “It’s not fair. The competition is meant to be equal. It’s not the clubs’ fault they haven’t landed anyone.”
Clubs have also aired concerns about an NRL-owned club receiving preferential treatment.
The Chiefs, who will join the competition in 2028, are also owned by the governing body and have the advantage of offering players tax-free wages and tax-free third-party agreements from non club sponsors, although those benefits have been established by PNG and Australian government legislation rather than NRL policy changes.
Chiefs recruits Jarome Luai and Alex Johnston are already being paid PNG-linked TPAs, 16 months before they will relocate to Port Moresby, although they will have to pay Australian tax on them until they move to the Pacific nation.
Fellow clubs signed off on the tax-free PNG system, knowing the new team would need help to convince footballers to live in a compound there and having been compensated by $4 million each from a $600 million Albanese government package.
But in the case of the Bears, they believe it would be more appropriate for assistance to be provided by an alternative form to salary cap relief, for example incentives such as relocation allowances, childcare support and flights for immediate family members.
The Rugby League Players Association has also been involved in talks and has long been advocating for additional perks to entice players to Perth.
He does enjoy widespread support from some of the heavy hitters of the game.
“My personal view is I think Peter would, either as CEO or executive chairman, be excellent for the position,” South Sydney chairman Nick Pappas told this masthead before the broadcast deal was confirmed.
“He’s proven himself … if that’s the way he wants to go and the commission is supportive, I would be very supportive as well.”
Fellow powerbrokers Nick Politis (Sydney Roosters), Matt Tripp (Melbourne Storm), Rebecca Frizelle (Gold Coast Titans) and Barry O’Farrell (Wests Tigers) have already publicly backed V’landys to become executive chairman and other club supremos have expressed their endorsement behind the scenes.
V’landys said last week he would also have to consult clubs about the entry of a 20th team to the NRL in 2029, which major partner Foxtel has pushed for as part of the new seven-year broadcast deal.
The NRL was contacted for comment.
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Chris Barrett is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former South-East Asia correspondent for the Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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