LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Rugby League legend Craig Bellamy has made a jaw-dropping sacrifice of a whopping $2 million to remain with the Melbourne Storm, despite the Parramatta Eels waving a eye-watering $10 million coaching contract in his face.
This revelation has sent shockwaves through the NRL world just days before the grand final showdown against Penrith on Sunday.
The Eels, in search of a new coach following the removal of Brad Arthur, set their sights on luring Bellamy away from the Storm with the richest coaching contract in the sport's 116-year history.
However, Bellamy, who will be overseeing his 10th grand final with Melbourne, ultimately turned down the lucrative offer in favor of remaining loyal to his current team.
Speculation had been rife about Parramatta's interest in Wayne Bennett as well, but it has emerged that Bellamy was also a prime target for the Eels, who were willing to offer him a staggering $2.5 million per season for four years.
Despite knowing that other clubs could offer him more money than his current $2 million salary, Storm chairman Matt Tripp remains confident that Bellamy's dedication to the team transcends financial incentives.
In a statement to News Corp, Tripp emphasized, "The truth is Craig has been offered much more money by other clubs than we can give him.
If Craig was motivated just by money, he would have taken the offers and we wouldn't have him anymore." Bellamy's selfless decision to stay with the Storm despite lucrative offers elsewhere highlights his unwavering commitment to the club and its pursuit of glory on the field.