Salary cap auditor investigates Cameron Smith testimonials
Salary cap auditor investigates Cameron Smith testimonials
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/salary ... 5017v.html
The NRL’s investigation into third-party deals at Cronulla has dominated the game this week, but there is another situation causing concern in club land: Cameron Smith’s testimonials.
We revealed a few weeks back that Smith was having a testimonial lunch to celebrate his great career and lucky fans could fork out a couple of hundred bucks to watch him be praised.
We asked if it was for charity – hoping it was – but received no response from the club, so we can only assume it’s not.
This is not Smith’s final year in the NRL. He has confirmed he will go around again next year.
Now we can reveal the NRL salary cap auditor is taking a keen interest in Smith’s various testimonials. In February, he played in a match with Johnathan Thurston, who is retiring.
It seems former NRL chief executive Dave Smith agreed to Smith getting a testimonial match and two tribute lunches before he retires. Smith’s agent has been telling clubs there are no limits on his lunches and other fundraisers. Clearly he is telling stories to rile other clubs.
When rival clubs become aware of this special dispensation for Smith, they will be annoyed. Especially those teams that have applied for testimonials for their players and been knocked back.
Since our item about Smith’s lunch, other clubs have expressed concern that this could be a way to get around the salary cap by ensuring Smith gets money outside his contract. Clubs have a huge distrust of the Storm.
We can reveal the NRL’s salary cap auditors are on the case and have already negotiated to have one of the lunches removed from the agreement. They have also told the Storm they have the power to include any funds raised from the events in the club’s salary cap if they believe Smith is being offered a lower contract than he deserves.
In other words, if the Storm have reduced Smith’s contract by, say, $100,000 because he has already secured that amount from his testimonial events, the NRL can still add the $100,000 into the Storm’s salary cap.
It’s a clear sign the NRL is angered by the deal Dave Smith did for Cam Smith.
Club bosses we have talked to are delighted the NRL is investigating the matter.
Smith announced this week that he will play again next season, which is excellent news for the Storm as he is a great of the game. But the grab for testimonial dollars says a lot about his character.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/salary ... 5017v.html
The NRL’s investigation into third-party deals at Cronulla has dominated the game this week, but there is another situation causing concern in club land: Cameron Smith’s testimonials.
We revealed a few weeks back that Smith was having a testimonial lunch to celebrate his great career and lucky fans could fork out a couple of hundred bucks to watch him be praised.
We asked if it was for charity – hoping it was – but received no response from the club, so we can only assume it’s not.
This is not Smith’s final year in the NRL. He has confirmed he will go around again next year.
Now we can reveal the NRL salary cap auditor is taking a keen interest in Smith’s various testimonials. In February, he played in a match with Johnathan Thurston, who is retiring.
It seems former NRL chief executive Dave Smith agreed to Smith getting a testimonial match and two tribute lunches before he retires. Smith’s agent has been telling clubs there are no limits on his lunches and other fundraisers. Clearly he is telling stories to rile other clubs.
When rival clubs become aware of this special dispensation for Smith, they will be annoyed. Especially those teams that have applied for testimonials for their players and been knocked back.
Since our item about Smith’s lunch, other clubs have expressed concern that this could be a way to get around the salary cap by ensuring Smith gets money outside his contract. Clubs have a huge distrust of the Storm.
We can reveal the NRL’s salary cap auditors are on the case and have already negotiated to have one of the lunches removed from the agreement. They have also told the Storm they have the power to include any funds raised from the events in the club’s salary cap if they believe Smith is being offered a lower contract than he deserves.
In other words, if the Storm have reduced Smith’s contract by, say, $100,000 because he has already secured that amount from his testimonial events, the NRL can still add the $100,000 into the Storm’s salary cap.
It’s a clear sign the NRL is angered by the deal Dave Smith did for Cam Smith.
Club bosses we have talked to are delighted the NRL is investigating the matter.
Smith announced this week that he will play again next season, which is excellent news for the Storm as he is a great of the game. But the grab for testimonial dollars says a lot about his character.
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"Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak" Anon
"Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak" Anon
Solid troll job from Weedler to rile everyone up. This is probably a nothing story for the club.
I've always hated how the NRL can limit the money a player makes outside of their salary. Also hate how they can rule on what a player thinks he deserves or is worth.
I've always hated how the NRL can limit the money a player makes outside of their salary. Also hate how they can rule on what a player thinks he deserves or is worth.
The entire ‘story’ reeks of painful bitterness. That last line is just ridiculousestormboy wrote:But the grab for testimonial dollars says a lot about his character.
How does this piece of sh*t still get work?
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mystormboys
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One would think that the Club would have this all sorted out before doing it - geez where do these so called journos get off
I didn't think they were allowed to make things up. The cost of the lunch included the meal/drinks/room hire/paying for storm people to attend. Storm staff/players don't pay for these things, it is in the price to other patrons. I doubt there would be much over to make a profit, let alone give it to Smith in salary. Storm would not be so stupid .
My thoughts exactly, how much profit could they even make on these lunches?glennb wrote:I didn't think they were allowed to make things up. The cost of the lunch included the meal/drinks/room hire/paying for storm people to attend. Storm staff/players don't pay for these things, it is in the price to other patrons. I doubt there would be much over to make a profit, let alone give it to Smith in salary. Storm would not be so stupid .
Mud slinging distraction heading into the finals.... There's a suprise...
Given how often we shed players to remain cap compliant, there's no way I can see us trying to pull a Swifty on the testimonial front for such a small amount of gain vs the potential damage it could cause.
Given how often we shed players to remain cap compliant, there's no way I can see us trying to pull a Swifty on the testimonial front for such a small amount of gain vs the potential damage it could cause.
The TL:DR version:
Shane Flannigan goes whining to the NRL. NRL auditors doing their job and checking that everything is above board with an already approved agreement.
Grubby journo who dislikes Smith looking to make some mileage.
Nothing to see here.
Shane Flannigan goes whining to the NRL. NRL auditors doing their job and checking that everything is above board with an already approved agreement.
Grubby journo who dislikes Smith looking to make some mileage.
Nothing to see here.
We must all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately
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storminghome
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So does that mean even if we win the Premiership this year it will be taken off us?
Wouldn't be the first time. Our first salary cap 'breaches' were in the early 2000s when the NRL changed the rules and penalised us for previously approved third party agreements. (To do with Mooks if I recall)sallymay wrote:nrl cant say you can have then once its done say they cant....
We must all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately