As negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) continue to stall, frustrated NRL club executives are preparing to try and bypass CEO Andrew Abdo and complete terms directly with ARL chairman Peter V'Landys.
The previous CBA expired on the 31st of October and the failure to come to terms on a new agreement has left clubs in the dark about the NRL salary cap, revenue shares, player payments, minimum wages, support for retired and past players and investment in the NRLW.
Newscorpย reports that a powerful assembly of influential club chairmen and CEOs is set for a private Zoom meeting with V'Landys this morning to resolve the stalemate.
Roosters, Storm and Brisbane chairmen Nick Politis, Matt Tripp and Karl Morris as well as Raiders, Rabbitohs and Panthers CEOs Don Furner, Blake Solley and Brian Fletcher are all expected to be a part of the discussion.
With talks reaching a standstill with the NRL CEO, an anonymous source close to the clubs stated, โWe've gone as far as we can with Andrew (Abdo); somebody has to get to Peter (V'Landys). The clubs think Andrew can't do any more with the finances unless Peter intervenes.โ
Clubs are searching for an additional $20 million as part of the new CBA a sum that NRL executivesย are hesitant to agree to.
โWe have budgets to complete and players to sign so we need this to be done ASAP,โ Panthers CEO, Brian Fletcher told Newscorp.ย
โYou'd think it was a matter that needed a bit of urgency but it doesn't seem to be getting that. It would be nice to know where we're going.โ
Clubs are hoping negotiations will be complete by the end of the week as Abdo and V'Landys prepare to depart the country to attend the Rugby League World Cup in England.
What an utter shambles. Time to replace the pair of them.
If they want to see the finals, they should buy a Stan subscription.
Sorting out the CBA is more important to the game in Oz than those two pressing the flesh.