DJ1
05-03-05, 02:02 AM
GOLDEN boy Sonny Bill Williams has been rapped over the knuckles for an unauthorised sponsorship deal, but the Bulldogs have avoided NRL sanction after it was ruled his extra cash did not breach their salary cap.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,423308,00.jpg
In the clear ... Bulldogs star Sonny Bill Williams.
Pic: Greg Porteus
Williams found himself at the centre of an investigation in January after appearing in an advertising campaign for sports drink Gatorade.
The NRL questioned the Bulldogs why the 19-year-old's payment for the ads - understood to be around $50,000 - was not included in the Dogs' salary cap disclosures, threatening a fine if they had intentionally breached the $3.25million limit.
Players can be paid to endorse NRL sponsors outside the cap's confines but must first seek the league's approval.
But, like the NRL, the Bulldogs argued they were not told about the Williams deal and were not hiding it,
a fact salary cap auditor Ian Schubert eventually accepted.
"The salary cap auditor has determined it is not a payment to be included in the Bulldogs' salary cap. He is satisfied the Bulldogs were simply not informed of the arrangement," said NRL chief executive David Gallop.
"Gatorade is a sponsor of the NRL.
"There is a clear precedent for it to be excluded. The only disappointing thing from his point of view is we were not informed before the deal was done. If that had happened we would not have had this hassle."
Dogs boss Malcolm Noad said he was glad "common sense prevailed".
The good news for the Bulldogs came as league's heavyweights continued to consider changes to the salary cap system, where two marquee players could endorse club sponsors for extra money not included under the cap.
The concept - tabled at Wednesday's chief executives meeting -- has been welcomed in principle by most, but concerns over its implementation, fairness and potential for rorting continue to swirl.
The NRL has asked for feedback on the idea from clubs.
"Most were cautiously optimistic at the meeting. It does need to be properly policed," said Gallop.
Schubert revealed further details of the proposed scheme yesterday, saying the NRL would require thorough plans and commitment from sponsors regarding the level of exposure the marquee players - and hence the code - would receive. Bosses of less affluent clubs, which already struggle to attract sponsors, have already expressed concern that they will be unable to match the dollars put up by top clubs with legions of sponsors.
Source Telegraph (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,12438598-23214,00.html)
http://foxsports.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,423308,00.jpg
In the clear ... Bulldogs star Sonny Bill Williams.
Pic: Greg Porteus
Williams found himself at the centre of an investigation in January after appearing in an advertising campaign for sports drink Gatorade.
The NRL questioned the Bulldogs why the 19-year-old's payment for the ads - understood to be around $50,000 - was not included in the Dogs' salary cap disclosures, threatening a fine if they had intentionally breached the $3.25million limit.
Players can be paid to endorse NRL sponsors outside the cap's confines but must first seek the league's approval.
But, like the NRL, the Bulldogs argued they were not told about the Williams deal and were not hiding it,
a fact salary cap auditor Ian Schubert eventually accepted.
"The salary cap auditor has determined it is not a payment to be included in the Bulldogs' salary cap. He is satisfied the Bulldogs were simply not informed of the arrangement," said NRL chief executive David Gallop.
"Gatorade is a sponsor of the NRL.
"There is a clear precedent for it to be excluded. The only disappointing thing from his point of view is we were not informed before the deal was done. If that had happened we would not have had this hassle."
Dogs boss Malcolm Noad said he was glad "common sense prevailed".
The good news for the Bulldogs came as league's heavyweights continued to consider changes to the salary cap system, where two marquee players could endorse club sponsors for extra money not included under the cap.
The concept - tabled at Wednesday's chief executives meeting -- has been welcomed in principle by most, but concerns over its implementation, fairness and potential for rorting continue to swirl.
The NRL has asked for feedback on the idea from clubs.
"Most were cautiously optimistic at the meeting. It does need to be properly policed," said Gallop.
Schubert revealed further details of the proposed scheme yesterday, saying the NRL would require thorough plans and commitment from sponsors regarding the level of exposure the marquee players - and hence the code - would receive. Bosses of less affluent clubs, which already struggle to attract sponsors, have already expressed concern that they will be unable to match the dollars put up by top clubs with legions of sponsors.
Source Telegraph (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,12438598-23214,00.html)