LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Negotiations for Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas with the rebel rugby union competition R360 have been delayed as he insists on an annual salary exceeding $3 million ($2 million USD) for any consideration of joining the league.
Haas is among the notable targets for R360, which has identified over ten NRL players, such as Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, and Jye Gray, as potential candidates for contracts in its inaugural year.
The competition is set to launch at the end of 2026 and had planned discussions with Haas and his management this week to explore potential contract options.
Initial reports indicated that Haas was expected to receive an offer around $2 million per year to leave the NRL and the Broncos, especially since he is set to be off-contract at the same time as R360's launch.
However, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report, Haas has instructed his management that any offers would need to be higher than $3 million for him to even consider the transition.
Although R360's organizers have shown no objections to Haas's asking price, the meetings have been postponed as his management seeks to navigate potential breaches of NRL rules in conversing with the rebel organization.
While NRL players are not permitted to negotiate with rival clubs until November 1 of the year preceding their contract expiration, discussions with competing codes are not restricted.