NRL boss to match pay cut of players

NRL boss Todd Greenberg will take the same pay cut as players during the coronavirus crisis with a deal between the two parties in sight.

After a dramatic day where Wests Tigers centre Joey Leilua hit out at the NRL over perceived inequalities in cuts, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. The finer details of the pay cuts were negotiated between the NRL and Rugby League Players Association yesterday afternoon, with amendments made to the retirement fund.

Players are expected to be consulted again today over the agreement, which will see a wage drop of around 75 per cent while no football is played. A deal for the duration of the coronavirus suspension is then expected to be struck either this afternoon or on Friday.

After being paid the first five months of their salary in full since the start of November, it means players will receive around 54 per cent of their entire 2020 contract.

Greenberg’s salary will also be slashed as part of the announcement. NRL executives have so far committed to a 25 per cent pay cut, with head office running on skeleton staff in a bid to slash costs.

But Greenberg will drop his at the same rate as the players, in a bid to show the game is unified in its efforts to get through the crisis.

“I want to acknowledge the players for their co-operative and collaborative approach to these discussions,” Greenberg said. “As I have said from the beginning, we are in this together and so in the spirit of our partnership, I have offered to take the same salary deal as the players.

“To me, it is the best and most sincere way of reflecting my appreciation of the way these discussions have been handled. ”

Greenberg’s cut is believed to have been floated well before Leilua’s spray, where the Samoan star warned the NRL players were becoming increasingly frustrated.

“All I’m reading is the NRL are getting a 25 per cent cut, and all the players are getting a 72 per cent cut,” Leilua told Fox League Live. “As players we want a fair share.”