LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is critical of ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys for his threatening stance towards players and managers involved with the emerging R360 competition. RLPA CEO Clint Newton lambasted V'landys' position, labeling it "legally unenforceable" and "short-sighted."
Last month, V'landys stirred controversy by declaring that players negotiating with R360-a proposed global rugby league initiative offering lucrative salaries-would face a 10-year ban from the NRL.
In response, Newton expressed his views on SEN 1170 Breakfast, asserting that such remarks were ill-conceived and unlikely to withstand legal scrutiny. "No, it would not hold up in court… It was disappointing to see those comments publicly," he stated.
Newton emphasized that while the RLPA does not condone players breaking existing contracts, limiting their right to explore personal opportunities is counterproductive. "We do not support players breaking contracts or walking away from them, but restricting their ability to use their own IP or explore opportunities is short-sighted," he remarked.
Moreover, Newton urged the NRL to leverage the emergence of R360 as an opportunity for growth rather than imposing punitive measures on players. "Why aren't we using this to grow the game and align ourselves with North American sports?" he queried.