NRL and RLPA reach financial agreement

The NRL and the Rugby League Players Association have reached an agreement around players wages.

Rugby League in Australia has been suspended since March 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The deal will see players earn two months wages and payments. Due to the suspension of the 2020 season, players will surrender five out of 12 months’ salary if the competition is unable to resume.

Both parties have announced the agreement, which will see $24.6m secured for players wages. This includes $5.4m from the liquidation of the Inquiry Hardship Fund.

Players will also receive a minimum 29.5-per-cent of any additional revenues from the revised NRL schedule. They can also claim early access to their retirement funds.

All contracts will otherwise remain protected.

CEO Todd Greenburg told the NRL website: “This is a difficult time for our game and the wider community and the challenges we face are immense, and unprecedented.

“The players understand the severity of the circumstances we face and have demonstrated their willingness to work with us to secure the best possible outcome to protect the long-term future of our game.

“I know it hasn’t been easy and I thank the RLPA and the playing group for their maturity, professionalism and diligence in helping us reach this solution.”

RLPA CEO Clint Newton added: “The entire community has been impacted by these extraordinary and unexpected circumstances. Our great game and our people are feeling those effects.

“The Coronavirus pandemic has placed the game and its people under huge pressure and players have assumed the responsibility, like many others, to ensure the future of our Clubs and the NRL is protected.

“Based on the current financial position of the game, the information we have been provided and the guarantees we have secured, we believe that this is a fair deal and we have secured the best outcomes for our members, while ensuring they are protected and included upfront in decision making long-term.”