“It’s pretty disappointing”: Rabbitohs CEO opens up on difficult contract talks amidst CBA negotiations
South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly has given insight into how complex it was to re-sign some of his star players, as the delayed CBA negotiations leave all NRL teams without a defined salary cap number for 2023.
Despite the Rabbitohs’ triumphant re-signing of Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Damien Cook, the club enters a period of uncertainty around its other players that are entering free agency due to the lack of transparency around the salary cap.
The Rabbitohs are one of many clubs struggling without a salary cap for 2023, with players like Matt Lodge and Cooper Johns being forced to sign on ‘train and trial’ deals until clubs know how much money they can spend.
Speaking to SEN, Solly admitted his star players are on ratchet clauses which gives them a percentage of the salary cap as opposed to a set amount of money going forward.
“The ratchet clauses have got a start in everyone’s contracts, they’ve been mandated by the NRL since Covid started,” Solly said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It’s easy to say that the ratchet clause takes care of that (not going over the cap) but it’s far more complex (than that).
“Like anyone you want some certainty around how you’re negotiating and the environment you’re negotiating in.
“Let’s be honest, it’s pretty disappointing that we sit here two months into a first financial year of a new cycle, and we don’t have a CBA and a salary cap.”
The long-lasting negotiations between the RLPA and the ARLC seemed to have progressed during November but since no party has made any traction in finalising a deal.
“I credit the players and the RLPA, they’ve been professional and diligent, and very patient all the way throughout this process,” Solly said.
“I think it’s really time now that the commission particularly put its shoulder to the wheel and deliver the certainty that the industry is craving.”
The likelihood of a deal being finalised before the new year has been put in doubt after The Herald reported that negotiations have been put on hold until the new year.