Parramatta Eels salary cap: Will Hopoate’s legal action could come back to haunt club

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/eels/parramatta-eels-salary-cap-will-hopoates-legal-action-could-come-back-to-haunt-club/news-story/8220b228ae6fed41ca810a6fbc41990a

PARRAMATTA’S salary cap woes could be compounded with the outcome of Will Hopoate’s court case potentially being added to their budget for this season.

While it is unlikely, there is an outside chance that should Hopoate be successful in his case against his former club, then some, if not all of the near $2 million he is seeking could be included in the salary cap.

It is understood the money will not be counted as they will be deemed a damages/compensation payment and not a salary while the NRL did not have a registered contract for Hopoate to be at the Eels beyond last season. The case may not be settled until next year should either party appeal.

Will Hopoate could still have a big impact on the Eels’ season.Source: Getty Images

An NRL spokesman confirmed the NRL did not have a registered contract for Will Hopoate to play with Parramatta this year.

“Naturally we will monitor the outcome of the legal proceedings,” the spokesman said. “But in this instance, the matter in dispute does not relate to a registered NRL contract and sits outside the NRL’s jurisdiction.

“So that is very different situation to a dispute involving a registered contract that may have salary cap implications.”

Hopoate’s legal team served papers against the Eels last August believing the club had changed the terms and fee of the three-year deal. Hopoate was to be paid $630,000 in 2016, $660,000 in 2017 and $690,000 in 2018.

Parramatta’s case could have implications for other clubs’ contracts.Source: News Corp Australia

Hopoate has since joined Canterbury for two years. Rival club bosses are watching the decision closely with some in club land believing the decision not to include any of Hopoate’s money on the Eels’ salary cap, could lead to club’s moving on players on before their contract has expired and compensate them with the knowledge the money will be exempt from the salary cap.

Hopoate’s case is due for directions at the Supreme Court on Thursday.

While Hopoate’s dad John’s case against the NRL will continue on May 25. John Hopoate is fighting against the NRL’s decision to ban him from coaching Manly’s under-18s SG Ball team earlier this year.

I highlight the 2nd last paragraph, maybe a reason why other clubs hope we are over the cap & NRL wins the case, are found in those words. The vultures gather for the pickings

"If you are going to do that better off just keeping him in Cup as a break glass option. Unless he is that much of a cancer and that negative to the squad that he needs to go."

Replies

Ken Stewart May 8, 2016 at 8:48am

What a lot of crap! Contract was never registered. End of story. Another page filler article on a slow news day.
Yobz May 8, 2016 at 8:50am

But his contract HAD expired?
Parra Pug May 8, 2016 at 8:51am

This is crap, how can you move someone on so their money is not included if you still have a binding contract. Hopoate's contract had expired, hadn't it. Therefore, the new, unregistered contract doesn't have any bearing on our cap. Am I wrong to think this?
Numbers May 8, 2016 at 8:53am

Even the writer admitted it would be unlikely. Then why write the article moron! His next story will be Newcastle winning the Comp this year.
Phil Mann May 8, 2016 at 8:54am

Whatever the outcome, this will settle on a commercial basis for an "undisclosed" amount, both parties agreeing to a confidentiality clause.
Putty May 8, 2016 at 9:00am

What a load of crap! Hoppa had an unregistered contract with parra, which was for playing and training 7 days. He wanted to renegotiate with only playing 6 days and parra let him move on ! It is a civil action being taken based on contract law - the court will decide if it was a binding agreement !
Surely parra will only be liable for the difference in the dogs and parra contract - not the entire value? Also the court should deduct the value of not playing Sunday's - ie apples for apples! And whatever value parra are liable for it won't come off the cap anyway ! These idiots really have nothing to write about do they! This is a frenzy now !
- Putty > Putty May 8, 2016 at 9:17am
  
  So further to above. So if successful hoppa will be asking parra to pay him for not working Sunday's! Ur to clamber tambourines together and sing songs to Jeevers! How very Mormon of him! So it's ok to be paid on Sunday but not ok to work on Sunday ? Great work if you can get it!
Prof. Daz May 8, 2016 at 9:03am

What Phil said (enjoying the rain GD?). In addition, this is clearly a case of fake sources. No club CEO would make the unfounded leap that if Hoppoate wins that is a precedent for clubs to move contracted players on and book their remaining salary off the cap. It makes no sense given clubs routinely pick up tabs on players they move on. Many Eels' fans complains about biased media are just whining but in this case, it's fair to refer to the article as biased media given the fake sources imply muck raking.
- Phil Mann > Prof. Daz May 8, 2016 at 9:10am
  
  Professor, it's a lovely way to wake on a relaxing Sunday morning.
Ed May 8, 2016 at 1:03pm

Fuck floppa he's only worth $200k per season he's lost his speed and his attack is shit Benji is worth more than him