My idea for dealing with player releases under compassionate grounds (Incl. Barba)
At this point its pretty much a given that Barba is gone, but I don't think a simple release and cash compensation from the Broncos is a fair solution where it counts on the football field. Neither the dogs nor Broncos are hurting for money, our disadvantage would be the lack of available cap offloading Barba would give us to secure a suitable replacement.
The main issues here are:
1/ we lose any benefit from signing a raw talent on a generous contract for the time and investing in them over the last few years until they became an elite player. Yes Barba is worth more than what he's currently on, but only because the club took a gamble when he wasn't even a regular in 1st grade. Realistically we should be rewarded for the investment we've made and if he's just let go we won't get anywhere near the same quality of player for his current contract value.
2/ The broncos know they are in the box seat being a one team town and realistically don't have to offer him near what they would if he was on the open market no strings attached. That means they are at a salary cap advantage to all other teams as they will be paying massive unders for an elite player, not market value.
The NRL will want us to release him to support the family image of the game, but we shouldn't be disadvantaged and the broncos shouldn't get even more of a leg up than they already do.
Here's how I think it should go down for Barba and any similar future cases:
1/ The Bronco's can only pay Barba the same amount he's currently contracted to (say for example $350k per year), including third party deals etc - this removes the incentive for players to move for more money mid contract under the guise of compassionate reasons.
2/ The NRL independently assess Barba's current value as current Daly M Medalist, Elite fullback, face of the game etc etc by referencing it against other similar players. Lets say they value him at 700K per season.
3/ The broncos only pay him 350k, but get charged with 700k under their salary cap, and they pay us the $350k gap each year as compensation
4/ The dogs get a salary cap credit of 700k when he is released instead of his contract value of 350k so they can replace him with a player of comparable value and standing in the game.
This way Barba and family are happy, the broncos get their man at a fair price, we get compensation and are also allowed to sign a fair replacement for Barba. Bam.
At this point its pretty much a given that Barba is gone, but I don't think a simple release and cash compensation from the Broncos is a fair solution where it counts on the football field. Neither the dogs nor Broncos are hurting for money, our disadvantage would be the lack of available cap offloading Barba would give us to secure a suitable replacement.
The main issues here are:
1/ we lose any benefit from signing a raw talent on a generous contract for the time and investing in them over the last few years until they became an elite player. Yes Barba is worth more than what he's currently on, but only because the club took a gamble when he wasn't even a regular in 1st grade. Realistically we should be rewarded for the investment we've made and if he's just let go we won't get anywhere near the same quality of player for his current contract value.
2/ The broncos know they are in the box seat being a one team town and realistically don't have to offer him near what they would if he was on the open market no strings attached. That means they are at a salary cap advantage to all other teams as they will be paying massive unders for an elite player, not market value.
The NRL will want us to release him to support the family image of the game, but we shouldn't be disadvantaged and the broncos shouldn't get even more of a leg up than they already do.
Here's how I think it should go down for Barba and any similar future cases:
1/ The Bronco's can only pay Barba the same amount he's currently contracted to (say for example $350k per year), including third party deals etc - this removes the incentive for players to move for more money mid contract under the guise of compassionate reasons.
2/ The NRL independently assess Barba's current value as current Daly M Medalist, Elite fullback, face of the game etc etc by referencing it against other similar players. Lets say they value him at 700K per season.
3/ The broncos only pay him 350k, but get charged with 700k under their salary cap, and they pay us the $350k gap each year as compensation
4/ The dogs get a salary cap credit of 700k when he is released instead of his contract value of 350k so they can replace him with a player of comparable value and standing in the game.
This way Barba and family are happy, the broncos get their man at a fair price, we get compensation and are also allowed to sign a fair replacement for Barba. Bam.
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