Following rumours that he had inked a massive $6 million contract with the Wests Tigers, Penrith Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai has spoken out. However, the move has taken a new turn with a 10-day cooling-off period. According to Michael Chammas of The Sydney Morning Herald, Luai agreed to join the Tigers on a $6 million, five-year contract on Saturday.
The Panthers, who are expected to lose their five-eighth-place finish and their reported offer of between $800,000 and $850,000 per year, are set to lose their premiership. This development sent shockwaves through the NRL. But Luai quickly addressed the rumours on social media by sending a message to his followers.
DISRESPECTFUL: Amid outcry over the board carnage, Tigers legends retaliated
HUGE: In a $3 million Brisbane Broncos development, Ezra Mam will turn down rivals
“It’s not a place to write. When a deal is finalised, I will inform you both. Large Love, “he penned. The new NRL rule stipulates that a player must notify their club that they have received an offer they will accept. This gives the incumbent club 10 days to negotiate a better contract, even though Luai may not have signed with the Tigers.
Given that the Panthers and Luai have already been in negotiations throughout the entire process, the rule seems absurd. Therefore, even though Luai hasn’t signed anything, it doesn’t mean he isn’t prepared to accept the Wests Tigers’ offer.
The NRL community, however, has taken issue with the new rule that gives the Panthers 10 days to negotiate a better contract if possible. Some felt this only opened up the deal and Luai to a media frenzy. Others felt the rule only creates more uncertainty for fans around the movement of their favourite players. As for Luai, he still has the option to back out of a potential deal with another club. Fans are now in limbo for 10 days over whether Luai stays a Panthers player or joins a new team.
