Superstar playmaker Jarome Luai has reportedly been offered a two-year contract worth $1.7 million as he gets ready to become a free agent on November 1.

Per theย Herald, the Penrith Panthers have tabled a two-year contract to Luai worth approximately $850,000 a season to keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2026 season.

It is understood that the reported deal is an increase of around $100,000 ($50,000 per season) after it has been previously revealed by several publications that the club is likely to offer him between $700,000-$800,000 a seasonย - a price that sees the Samoan international earn way less than his market value.

The updated news surrounding Luai's future comes after he recently signed with Black Money Enterprises. A management agency that looks after some of the biggest stars in the competition, including South Sydney Rabbitohs star trio Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton and Cody Walker.

While Luai is yet to confirm if he will remain at Penrith - he has indicated his preference to stay - the three-time premiership winner is likely to be offered offers worth in excess of $1 million a season from rival clubs. However, they are unable to submit a formal offer until November 1.

The Panthers' tight salary cap position comes due to them locking up several of their stars to big-money offers, including Nathan Clearyย (estimated at $1.3 million per year),ย Dylan Edwardsย ($850,000),ย James Fisher-Harrisย ($950,000),ย Liam Martinย ($750,000) andย Isaah Yeoย ($850,000).

As well as re-signing 2023 Grand Finalistsย Moses Leotaย (2027),ย Lindsay Smithย (2026),ย Scott Sorensenย (2026) andย Brian To'oย (2027).

Penrith Panthers Chief Executive Matt Cameron spoke to the Heraldย after being contacted for comment but would not discuss any details of the negotiations between the club and Luai.

โ€œJarome is aware of the club's capacity moving forward,โ€ Cameron told the Herald.

โ€œHe will obviously command interest on the open market and we have no problem with him investigating all his options if he needs to after the first of November.โ€

1 COMMENT

  1. Whether or not the Panthers will be successful depends on how they have made the offer.

    If they have said “Best we can do is $850K” then they should not be surprised if he walks.

    What they need to have said is something like:

    “If you go to the Tigers or the Dogs or some other no-hope team, then you can probably get a million. The best we can do is $850K, but that will get you a place in the team looking for a four-peat, playing with a bunch of guys you know well, and who like you.

    The extra $150K – after tax (45%) and agent commission (minimum 5%) – is worth$75K. If you move to Canberra, the stamp duty on a $1 million house is $38,750 – so that’s half your $75K gone before you even buy some new curtains. Jerome; don’t be sucked into going somewhere else just because the headline salary looks tempting.

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