philip jenningsThe Lost Handshake
May 3rd 2008 09:44
In the 80’s and 90’s, when former Bulldog legend Terry Lamb played Rugby League, he and Bulldogs CEO, Peter Moore, would seal his playing agreement with a handshake. Welcome to Rugby League in 2008 where a signed contract is not worth the paper that it is written on.
Over the last few weeks, we have had the Canberra Raiders coach, Neil Henry, walk out after 4 weeks of a two year contract. This is after he assured Raiders Half Back, Todd Carney that he would be remaining at Raiders. Carney had only just signed a long term deal with the Raiders. Cronulla Half Back Brett Kimmorley, having re-signed a new contract only last year, was told recently that if he can find a club, he will be granted a release mid-season. Bulldogs superstar Sonny Bill Williams, who is contracted to the Bulldogs until 2012, admitted on Channel 9’s Footy Show last Thursday evening, that he would listen to offers to play with the All Blacks.
There is little loyalty left in the game and this is reflected by the way players and coaches move around. The only winners in this process are the player managers who stand to gain more revenue by increasing their client’s worth, and at the same time, their management fees.
The losers are the younger fans who , at the beginning of the season, purchase a jersey of their favourite team with their favourite player’s name and number on the back, only to see that player potentially move clubs mid-season.
Over the last few weeks, we have had the Canberra Raiders coach, Neil Henry, walk out after 4 weeks of a two year contract. This is after he assured Raiders Half Back, Todd Carney that he would be remaining at Raiders. Carney had only just signed a long term deal with the Raiders. Cronulla Half Back Brett Kimmorley, having re-signed a new contract only last year, was told recently that if he can find a club, he will be granted a release mid-season. Bulldogs superstar Sonny Bill Williams, who is contracted to the Bulldogs until 2012, admitted on Channel 9’s Footy Show last Thursday evening, that he would listen to offers to play with the All Blacks.
There is little loyalty left in the game and this is reflected by the way players and coaches move around. The only winners in this process are the player managers who stand to gain more revenue by increasing their client’s worth, and at the same time, their management fees.
The losers are the younger fans who , at the beginning of the season, purchase a jersey of their favourite team with their favourite player’s name and number on the back, only to see that player potentially move clubs mid-season.
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