LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Ryan Papenhuyzen has emerged as the "prime target" for the new NRL team in Perth, potentially becoming the first player in league history to earn $2 million.
His move from the Melbourne Storm could coincide with expected salary cap increases as the Perth-based Bears join the competition in 2027.
According to au.news.yahoo.com, North Sydney Bears board member Billy Moore anticipates a significant market shift, predicting that player negotiations will change dramatically in the next few years.
He noted that Dylan Brown's $14 million, 10-year contract with Newcastle might soon be viewed as "benign" due to evolving supply and demand.
Mark Geyer, a Western Reds legend, along with NRL player manager Simon Mammino, speculate that elite players will soon have unprecedented earning potential thanks to the introduction of the Bears and a subsequent PNG team in 2028.
By 2027, NRL clubs will have $12.7 million available, coinciding with the final year of the current broadcast rights deal.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys aims for the next deal (2028-2032) to be worth $3 billion, up from the current $2 billion.
Mammino has further predicted that the salary cap could reach around $15 million per team by 2028 if broadcast revenues are maximized, paving the way for more players to earn $2 million annually.