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Bulldogs wait for transfer from Toulon
By Margie McDonald and Brent Read
August 18, 2008 A $1million deal has been struck between the Bulldogs and Toulon which will free Sonny Bill Williams to continue his rugby union career without threat of legal action.
While the Bulldogs would not confirm the agreement to release Williams from his five-year contract, the deal was completed Sunday.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg will only announce the deal once the money from Toulon has been transferred safely into the club's bank account. And that could be as early as today or Tuesday.
"It's very close but we haven't resolved it yet, we haven't signed off on it from the Bulldogs' end," Greenberg said.
He did confirm the input of former ALP power broker Graham Richardson to help negotiate the deal.
While Richardson spoke mainly with Bulldogs president George Peponis, Greenberg dealt with Mark O'Brien, legal adviser to Williams' agent Khoder Nasser.
Williams had been threatened with arrest, having his assets seized, or facing a hefty fine for being in contempt of court.
Originally the Bulldogs were seeking compensation in the vicinity of $2million, which was the club's estimate of what it would lose in sponsorship, merchandise and ticket sales because of the loss of such a player.
The 23-year-old is also on a $1.5m a year deal with Toulon in southern France.
But while weekend media reports said $750,000 would be the transfer price, it is understood to be closer to $1m.
Neither side was talking figures Sunday, which was part of the confidentiality clauses in the agreement.
Williams walked out on a five-year $2m deal with the Bulldogs and part of the settlement with Toulon is that he cannot return to the NRL until that deal expires at the end of 2012.
The runaway star, however, has said he would prefer chasing a spot with the All Blacks in the future rather than return to the NRL.
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal told reporters in France he was relieved for Williams, conceding the drama had begun to weigh on the young star's shouldlers.
As a result of the resolution, Williams will be free to play against Saracens in Toulon's final trial game on Thursday morning (EST).
Toulon opens its Top 14 season in the French competition Tuesday week with a match against Clermont.
The Saracens game pits the New Zealand league international against former Australia coach Eddie Jones, a coaching consultant with the English club and one of Williams' strongest supporters during his code switch.
With a settlement having been agreed, Williams is now free to play Super 14, a precursor to playing for the All Blacks.
By Margie McDonald and Brent Read
August 18, 2008 A $1million deal has been struck between the Bulldogs and Toulon which will free Sonny Bill Williams to continue his rugby union career without threat of legal action.
While the Bulldogs would not confirm the agreement to release Williams from his five-year contract, the deal was completed Sunday.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg will only announce the deal once the money from Toulon has been transferred safely into the club's bank account. And that could be as early as today or Tuesday.
"It's very close but we haven't resolved it yet, we haven't signed off on it from the Bulldogs' end," Greenberg said.
He did confirm the input of former ALP power broker Graham Richardson to help negotiate the deal.
While Richardson spoke mainly with Bulldogs president George Peponis, Greenberg dealt with Mark O'Brien, legal adviser to Williams' agent Khoder Nasser.
Williams had been threatened with arrest, having his assets seized, or facing a hefty fine for being in contempt of court.
Originally the Bulldogs were seeking compensation in the vicinity of $2million, which was the club's estimate of what it would lose in sponsorship, merchandise and ticket sales because of the loss of such a player.
The 23-year-old is also on a $1.5m a year deal with Toulon in southern France.
But while weekend media reports said $750,000 would be the transfer price, it is understood to be closer to $1m.
Neither side was talking figures Sunday, which was part of the confidentiality clauses in the agreement.
Williams walked out on a five-year $2m deal with the Bulldogs and part of the settlement with Toulon is that he cannot return to the NRL until that deal expires at the end of 2012.
The runaway star, however, has said he would prefer chasing a spot with the All Blacks in the future rather than return to the NRL.
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal told reporters in France he was relieved for Williams, conceding the drama had begun to weigh on the young star's shouldlers.
As a result of the resolution, Williams will be free to play against Saracens in Toulon's final trial game on Thursday morning (EST).
Toulon opens its Top 14 season in the French competition Tuesday week with a match against Clermont.
The Saracens game pits the New Zealand league international against former Australia coach Eddie Jones, a coaching consultant with the English club and one of Williams' strongest supporters during his code switch.
With a settlement having been agreed, Williams is now free to play Super 14, a precursor to playing for the All Blacks.
