Existing NRL club bosses have pushed back on potential salary cap concessions for the incoming Perth Bears – asking that all clubs are included in any changes.
The Bears recruitment has been slow and steady if nothing else with the full squad to be confirmed prior to off-season training in November.
“Going back to the initial decision to admit Perth, the clubs raised a number of concerns about the process of getting Perth in and the fact that the NRL would own two clubs in the competition, particularly given we supply them with our most sensitive and commercially confidential information,” South Sydney CEO Solly told The Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday.
“We needed to have some comfort that those two clubs would be operated at arm’s length. The NRL assured us that both clubs will be salary cap and football department cap compliant.
“That was the basis on which we accepted their entry.
“If there’s an appetite to move away from that, it needs to involve a discussion with the 17 clubs.
“This was a commitment that Peter [Vlandys and Andrew [Abdo] made.
“I don’t think any of the clubs are bloody-minded about this.
“We all want PNG and Perth to succeed. It’s just about recognising the contribution that the 17 existing clubs have made to the growth of the game and our massive investment in pathways and players.”
