Not sure how others feel but this feels wrong and no doubt occurs elsewhere, but it is too easy to allow players to invest, show evidence to NRL then increase their share down the track with no further investment. Also are other players from opposition teams allowed to invest if they wish or how would NRL react if say players from a different team all joined a betting agency as stakeholders.
If the storm resign Munster on top of Hughes, Grant and Papenhuyzen it would definitely point towards some kind of cap rort but as the NRL have proven nothing will happen.
I found the story in SMH but can't access it but also here. Wonder why nothing appearing in newscorp publications if all above board.
The National Rugby League (NRL) will allow a controversial proposal under which the players of Melbourne Storm are permitted to invest in an online gambling company owned by the club’s Chairman Matt Tripp and News Corp.
The move, which can result in the revelation that Melbourne Storm has started discussions with the NRL salary limit auditor regarding its staff members and players buying shares in the online bookmaker, has triggered the wrath of rival rugby clubs.
Matt Tripp has been considered the pioneer of online gambling in Australia, as he was practically the one who turned Sportsbet into the second-largest bookmaker in the country, right behind the local gambling giant Tabcorp, before the release and sale of BetEasy. On the other hand, News Corp has been trying to find its place in the Australian gambling market after the FOX Bet brand turned out pretty successful in the US. Reportedly, it is mere weeks away from joining forces with Mr Tripp.
When contacted by local media hubs earlier this week, both he and the National Rugby League made the move seem less important. However, club bosses with knowledge of the deal have already revealed some implications that the club’s players will be given the chance to invest in a gambling agency owned and operated by the club’s part-owner and chairman.
The Controversial Deal Raised Moral Concerns about Integrity of Sport from Gambling
Matt Tripp has revealed that any deals would be done under the condition that individuals act independently and would not have an undue influence over one another but the National Rugby League noted that it does not have the power to prevent players from investing more money in whatever company they want. Still, the salary limit auditor has informed both Mr Tripp and the Melbourne Storm that players would not be able to promote the online bookmaker. They would also be required to provide some proof that they are personally buying the shares, and not the club, so the shares in the betting operator would not be used as a stimulus to sign new players.
Mr Tripp, however, has insisted that, for the time being, no one has yet made a commitment because nothing has been agreed upon yet. The partnership between him and News Corp could be officially available online within a few months, allowing the new platform to establish a market share before the spring racing carnivals that will take place in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as the final series of the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Australian Football League (AFL).
When asked about potential issues associated with the salary cap, he shared that he would not go into such a business without previously making sure that the National Rugby League fully understood all details and aspects of the situation. Under the rules of the NRL, all third-party agreements that involve players are required to be registered. However, such agreements are only included in the salary limit in case they are used as an enticement for signing a contract.
On the other hand, some have shared some moral concerns about whether NRL players should be allowed to become shareholders in operators that accept wagers on matches they play in.
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This can and will be used as a stright up rort, youre spot on FM.
NRL need Melb to be a top team.
No doubt this is one of many leg-ups or "bonuses" players have been given over the years.
What a way to manipulate money for their stars. Not too mention the link to the gambling.
You can practically call this a TPA, however what Parramatta got hit on with in 2016 is TPA's are not allowed to be involved with the club the players play for. Is this business connected to the Storm? i very highly believe so but we do not know. Still wrong as it gives players an icentive to go there.
As well as a way around the salary cap, we wont mention the huge , simply huge conflict of interest with playing a game that is bet on by punters that invloves a team that your playng in, and the player will directly benefit from the result, the appearance of such is just mind boggling wrong . Im sure spot fixing and similar accusations would become rampant. Its protrays the appearance of corruption as well as opening up corruption practises itself.
Its akin to players punting on a game they are involved in.
Kate mc clymont needs to get on to this bloody joke
yep, actually she would tear the nrl a new one if she investigated / reported on the salary cap and the rorts etc, Another Walkley Award beckons.
I'm perplexed while she has never done it fully as yet
🤔
Call me a Cynic, however.
Kate Mc Clymont works for the Sydney Morning Herald, "SMH" was owned by Fairfax media which was bought and merged by Channel 9 and both companies amalgamated and rebadged the company as Nine Enteratinment, which is now the major sponsor and media rights holder of the NRL. With revenue coming in the millions if not Billions over years. Channel Nine would not like the NRL opened and investigated and would definitely not like the airing of corrupt and possible criminal practices at the highest levels of the NRL and NRL clubs with Salary Cap breaches. They bring too much revenue to the Nine company. I dont think they would let one of their own potentially bring it down, is my guess.
Yep totes you've nailed it
and fuck she needs to go work for the guardian or something
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