New ploy to retain matt
Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 1:17 pm
STORM'S hopes of retaining Matt Orford beyond 2005 may depend on making him more marketable in Melbourne.
The NRL is close to approving third-party payments to marquee players, which would fall outside the existing $3.25 million salary cap.
It is expected that two nominated players from each club will be eligible to receive payments from sponsors of up to $50,000.
The payments would need to be legitimised through promotional work.
Orford's manager George Mimis confirmed last night that the third party deals had become a key factor in contract negotiations with Storm.
"They are a fairly important part of our discussions from a remuneration viewpoint," Mimis said.
"Some clubs obviously have a greater disposition to corporate sponsors than others. Melbourne is in a challenging market."
Storm has indicated Orford would be one of its marquee players if the scheme is rubber-stamped. But the club's manager of football operations, Peter O'Sullivan, conceded that did not guarantee the funds would be available.
"It is one thing to make someone a marquee player, but then the next challenge for us would be getting a sponsor to tip in that sort of money," O'Sullivan said.
"It depends greatly on the individual. Particularly in Melbourne, they would need to be a highly marketable commodity. There are a few players in our top 25 that fall in that category, but with others it is not so clear."
While Orford's talent is undisputed, he does not enjoy the profile of more flamboyant teammates such as centre Matt King and fullback Billy Slater.
Orford's management met with Storm on Saturday, but talks appear to have stalled.
Orford has already attracted some rich offers from English Super League clubs, and he has also been linked with the Gold Coast, which is expected to be granted a NRL franchise in 2007.
"I'm not really sure which way I'm going at the moment," Orford said.
"I am going to use the week off with the bye to think about things a bit more. I'm not ruling anything out at this stage, but hopefully we are getting closer."
Mimis said confirmation that Storm would gain a purpose-built rectangular stadium as part of a $100 million revamp of Olympic Park, was viewed as a positive by Orford.
"There has always been talk of Storm being relocated but the new venue gives players absolute certainty about the club's future," Mimis said.
Storm is also continuing contract talks with strike centres, King and Steven Bell.
"It is starting to affect their performance so it is something we want to finalise sooner rather than later," O'Sullivan said
heraldsun.com.au
The NRL is close to approving third-party payments to marquee players, which would fall outside the existing $3.25 million salary cap.
It is expected that two nominated players from each club will be eligible to receive payments from sponsors of up to $50,000.
The payments would need to be legitimised through promotional work.
Orford's manager George Mimis confirmed last night that the third party deals had become a key factor in contract negotiations with Storm.
"They are a fairly important part of our discussions from a remuneration viewpoint," Mimis said.
"Some clubs obviously have a greater disposition to corporate sponsors than others. Melbourne is in a challenging market."
Storm has indicated Orford would be one of its marquee players if the scheme is rubber-stamped. But the club's manager of football operations, Peter O'Sullivan, conceded that did not guarantee the funds would be available.
"It is one thing to make someone a marquee player, but then the next challenge for us would be getting a sponsor to tip in that sort of money," O'Sullivan said.
"It depends greatly on the individual. Particularly in Melbourne, they would need to be a highly marketable commodity. There are a few players in our top 25 that fall in that category, but with others it is not so clear."
While Orford's talent is undisputed, he does not enjoy the profile of more flamboyant teammates such as centre Matt King and fullback Billy Slater.
Orford's management met with Storm on Saturday, but talks appear to have stalled.
Orford has already attracted some rich offers from English Super League clubs, and he has also been linked with the Gold Coast, which is expected to be granted a NRL franchise in 2007.
"I'm not really sure which way I'm going at the moment," Orford said.
"I am going to use the week off with the bye to think about things a bit more. I'm not ruling anything out at this stage, but hopefully we are getting closer."
Mimis said confirmation that Storm would gain a purpose-built rectangular stadium as part of a $100 million revamp of Olympic Park, was viewed as a positive by Orford.
"There has always been talk of Storm being relocated but the new venue gives players absolute certainty about the club's future," Mimis said.
Storm is also continuing contract talks with strike centres, King and Steven Bell.
"It is starting to affect their performance so it is something we want to finalise sooner rather than later," O'Sullivan said
heraldsun.com.au
