NRL boosts cap, calls for commission

The NRL will bolster its salary cap in 2011 in an attempt to ward off rival codes
from poaching the game's best players.
NRL chief executives have backed a $100,000 lift in the cap as well as a doubling of
the marquee player allowance to $300,000 above the proposed $4.2 million cap.
A range of other concessions have also been agreed to, including a commitment to
further rewards for long-serving players and increased representative player
payments.
The NRL is still reeling over the defection of stars Karmichael Hunt and Israel
Folau to AFL, while several others have switched to the lucrative European rugby
union competitions.
"The key message through all of this has been the importance that clubs place on the
salary cap system," NRL chief executive David Gallop said in a statement.
"It has been important to the success the game has enjoyed and continues to enjoy.
"What we have always looked for is ways to grow rugby league's revenue and to ensure
that any growth is shared among the players."
In the wake of the Melbourne cap scandal, player agents will be required to sign
declarations with every contract confirming it includes all benefits, guarantees,
payments, understandings or other remuneration to the player or his family.
Impatient CEOs have also sent a strong message to the Australian Rugby League to
resolve legal arguments over the proposed independent commission to run the game.
The Queensland Rugby League has threatened legal action over the formation of the
commission.
"All the clubs have publicly agreed on the importance of having the commission in
place by November this year and they are unanimous in reinforcing that view today,"
Gold Coast boss Michael Searle said.
"We need the arguments between the Queensland and NSW Rugby Leagues sorted out this
week so that the process can get back on the rails.
"The QRL in particular needs to understand that it is acting against the interests
of every club in the league and the stated position of the ARL.
"The game needs a truly independent commission and not a model that puts power in
the hands of appointees by the QRL.
"We need a commission in place after the grand final and in time for the start of
the 2011 financial year for rugby league, which is November 1."
Meanwhile, clubs have undertaken to put in place a contact person for players in
which to deal with racial vilification within their organisation.
"It's not enough to simply point to what we are doing," Gallop said.
"The fact that Timana Tahu has had to face the issues that he has means that we need
to do more."