Does the salary cap really bring an even playing field to our game?

I had an interesting conversation the other night with some people who I take to be a lot better informed than I on the salary cap and how it worked. It was apparent to me that a LOT of people don't really understand the rules surrounding it. That on it's own is an enditement on the NRL.

Looking in to how the rules are written, it occurs to me that it is farcical for the NRL to pretend that it in any way brings an even playing field to all involved in the competition. In particular the Third Party Agreements and how they are regulated is a joke.

For those wishing to become better informed, you can go here: http://www.nrl.com/nrlhq/referencecentre/salarycap/tabid/10434/default.aspx

I draw your attention to this:

What players can earn outside the salary cap:

$600,000 - Marquee Player Allowance - any or all of the Top 25 players at each club can share in payments made by club sponsors seeking to use a player's intellectual property. These may be guaranteed in the playing contract by clubs.

$100,000 - Motor Vehicle Allowance – a maximum amount of five motor vehicles may be provided to players in the Top 25 outside of the salary cap. (Valued at $20,000 each).

Unlimited - Players can earn unlimited amounts from corporate sponsors who are not associated with the club and who do not use the game's intellectual property (no club logos, jerseys or emblems) provided these are pre-approved. These agreements may not be negotiated by the club as an incentive for a player to sign a contract, nor can they be guaranteed by the club.

Unlimited - Tertiary education fees, approved traineeships, medical insurance costs, relocation/temporary accommodation costs are not included in the cap but must be approved.

I think we, as fans, have a right to know how much these UNLIMITED amounts players within a club earn in any one year. I don't expect that we be told player x earnt $y from company z. But I do think we should be told club A's players earned a total $B and we get a list of which players are receiving payments from whom. This way, we know that the Roosters players for example get a total of $8M with in payments when including the Salary Cap and Third Party Agreements whereas other teams struggle to make $7M. The public will also know that company R isn't on any of the TPA lists when they see players routinely passing through their doors and walking out with free fuel, car servicing, detailing or any other service.

To me this is just common sense. What's the use of telling the fans that everything is "even" but keeping an unlimited amount off the public record. It stinks of graft and it isn't surprising dodgy individuals get wrapped up in the administration at various levels when such a system is in place.

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Replies

GRUNTA - Death of a Salesman July 26, 2015 at 6:35pm

Obviously not.
Yobz July 26, 2015 at 7:27pm

Well Abbott's daughter only pays $250 a week or something, so I'd say it's about $2 a week.
Poupou Escobar July 26, 2015 at 8:29pm

Since every merkin has an opinion on the salary cap I assumed you had all read the rules on it that are publically available on the NRL's website.
Muttman July 26, 2015 at 8:32pm

The whole system is broken beyond repair. It's a farce.
Trouser Eel July 26, 2015 at 9:05pm

I'm not suggesting any specific person's income be disclosed.
iamnot July 26, 2015 at 9:44pm

The way the cap is written is assuming that Players playing in Canberra, Penrith or Newcastle can gain access to the same level of sponsorship as those playing for, let's say, the Roosters. Now we all know that's correct and fair to assume the cap is an even playing field...
Will 5150 July 27, 2015 at 1:34pm

As long as that unlimited TPP allowance is in there you will never see equality... unless it is disclosed to a degree as suggested above - based on totals and who the TP's are.

Whole system is a joke... and while difficult to perfect, it can't be that hard to at least improve and provide greater disclosure. It's the continual lack of action on the part of the NRL that astounds me. Any corporate reacting to the market at the same speed they do would be out of business in no time at all.

Maybe Teflon Todd needs to come out and address the public as to how good things are with some of his usual spin...
Will 5150 July 27, 2015 at 1:34pm

Nope... wouldn't want my income disclosed to the public, most people would not.... but then again, I'm not working for a company that is meant to be operating within a salary cap!
RIDER July 27, 2015 at 2:12pm

If I was getting over $1M it wouldnt worry me. Most sportsmen in Baseball, Basketball, NFL and Soccer have their salaries disclosed, but given how much they are I dont think they care.
sixtiesboy July 27, 2015 at 3:57pm

Teflon Todd is brilliant at sounding like he is saying something important when he is actually saying nothing.
I'd suggest that evidence of cap failure can be found in the clubs that get in a mess, cheat or simply don't understand it. The fact that it is so complicated ensures its failure.