There's been a lot of talk recently about 3rd party deals, especially in regard to squeezing big name players under the cap. I find it very frustrating, with the level of secrecy.
I've come to realize that I'm aware of hardly any of these deals and players involved. I know there must be a ton of players, but who are they? I hear Russell Crow sorts out the Bunnies with media sponsorship and we all know the Broncos, Bulldogs and Roosters have crafty accountants.
Here's a couple off the top of my head. Who else can we name?
DCE - Nike (TV commercials for footy boots)
Cameron Smith - VB (TV commercials relating to State of Origin)
Robbie Farrah - VB (TV commercials relating to State of Origin)
Here's a quote which I found - might relate to DCE supposedly getting some deal with Foxtel? I wonder if Sportsbet sponsors individual players?
“Players are also able to enter into agreements with game sponsors. There is no maximum amount and they are excluded from the salary cap.’’
Also, I just found an interesting article about Greg Inglis from 2010. He was being investigated over his South Sydney contract - supposedly receiving an extra $200k per year on 3rd party money.
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Huh.... never pictured Inglis as a boat kinda guy. Must fall under the "boat allowance" which each team gets under the cap...
TPAs cannot be guaranteed by a club and must be at arms length to the club and must not be conditional on the player playing for a certain club.
Example scenario:
Manly offers DCE a contract but it is not enough. Manly cannot find third parties to top it up any further. DCE doesn't really want to leave Manly, but his agent and Manly come up with a scheme. They give permission for DCE to talk to Titans.
Titans offer him a large contract with a large percentage made up from TPAs.
DCE signs contract early enough in year so that he/management can also sign "Titan" TPAs.
Knowing that a TPA cannot be conditional on you playing for the Titans, DCE backflips keeping the additional TPAs and remaining at Manly.
DCE and his manager collect more money, Manly pays less and still keeps him.