LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Crazy Money from Rebel League Puts Clubs on Notice
Cameron George, the chief executive of the Warriors, acknowledges the reality of the threat posed by rugby's breakaway competition, R360, which could attract players with lucrative contracts.
Despite this, he dismissed speculation that it could dismantle rugby league entirely.
Recent reports have surfaced that Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been offered a staggering $1 million per season to join R360.
This has raised the possibility of them pursuing Nathan Cleary with an eye-watering potential deal estimated at $3 million, a figure mentioned by Broncos icon Corey Parker during a radio segment.
Currently, the NRL cannot match these financial offers, leaving them vulnerable if R360 were to target key players.
The structure of the new competition remains unclear, but early indications suggest a format featuring 12 teams competing globally, with significant support from Saudi Arabia.
"This rebel competition is threatening to steal a lot of stars out of the NRL," Parker stated during his segment on SENQ Breakfast, highlighting other potential targets like Kalyn Ponga and Ryan Papenhuyzen.
George reflected on the historical context, emphasizing that there have always been players moving to rugby and cited cases like Sonny Bill Williams' high-profile switch.
The continuing allure of substantial contracts from this nascent league poses a new challenge for traditional NRL clubs that could struggle to retain their top talent amid the lure of the breakaway competition.