Payne Haas‘ management has postponed a meeting with Rugby 360 and told the rebel tournament’s bosses he will not be entertaining any offers lower than $3 million per year, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.
The champion Brisbane front-rower’s management want to be sure they would not be in breach of NRL rules in negotiating a potential contract with R360 and, therefore, put a meeting scheduled for Tuesday on hold.
As for Haas’ unwillingness to entertain any offers south of $3 million, the SMH says it was suggested that R360 bosses “did not blink at the asking price” and were still interested in talking with the Broncos superstar.
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If the freshly minted NRL premiership-winner joins the rebel tournament, it is understood he would be able to change his place of residence to a tax-free country, the SMH says.
Brisbane superstar Payne Haas shows off his NRL premiership ring after Sunday night’s grand final victory over Melbourne. Getty
The report also says the Broncos are willing to offer him upward of $1 million per year.
R360’s questionable finances are a major hindrance to the tournament’s hopes of poaching star players from rival competitions.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys made a joke of R360’s finances on Monday.
“Any competition that comes out of a Corn Flakes box, I’m not really concerned about it, because that’s what it is. It’s a completely unprofessional — they’ve got no business plan,” V’landys said.
“Any player who goes is really risking their career.
“They have to look at Salford this year in the Super League; it was a similar situation, the players didn’t get paid.
“So, look, as I said, it’s a competition out of a Corn Flakes box. I’m not going to be concerned about it.”