Brisbane Broncos superstar Payne Haas has requested an immediate release from his contract with the club.
Nine’s Danny Weidler reports that contract negotiations between Haas and the Broncos broke down on Wednesday night and now the NSW Origin star is looking to leave.
The 22-year-old is signed with the Broncos until 2024, but knocked back a deal that would make him the highest-paid first-rower in the league, while continuing to battle with his former management agency.
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“This is all about money, and he feels like he’s not getting the income he deserves from the Broncos,” Weidler told 9News.
“If he’s not the best striker in the rugby league, he’s definitely in talks. He thinks he’s worth around $1 million a season, he’s not getting that from the Broncos at the moment.
“He is in negotiations with the club and he feels he is almost disrespected by the Broncos. He has reached the end of his pit.”
Weidler also revealed that the drama could lead to Haas being fired from New South Wales’ Origin squad, which will be announced Sunday night.
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“He’s going to be a centerpiece on Brad Fittler’s team, but Fittler has always maintained that he doesn’t want any outside distractions in his NSW Blues team, and this is a huge outside distraction.”
The Broncos released a statement after the news broke.
“Payne Haas is under contract with the Brisbane Broncos until the end of the 2024 NRL season. The club will not have a release,” it read.
“The club remains in talks with Payne’s management about what the next phase looks like for him at the Broncos.
“This also includes an ongoing dialogue about an extension of his current contract.”
Haas took to his Instagram account to give his two cents.
“All that matters is that we have a game tomorrow night and that’s what I’m fully focused on,” he wrote.
“The only thing I have control over is that tomorrow night I will give everything for my teammates and you (the fans).”
According to the Sydney Morning HeraldHaas has taken legal action against Chris Orr and Pacific Sports Management, but now faces a counterclaim in the NSW Supreme Court from his former manager, in the amount of more than $200,000.
As a result, Haas’ lack of current representation has contributed to contract talks stalling.
Dolphin boss Wayne Bennett said he hadn’t spoken to the rowdy attacker, SMH’s Michael Chammas reports, but it’s clear he won’t be short of suitors when he hits the market.
Meanwhile, Payne’s younger brother, Klese, signed a full-time deal with the Gold Coast Titans this morning. There is no suggestion that his sibling will take to the road to join him.
Brisbane, for their part, has rejected the request for release.
Haas got off to a flying start in 2018, with a first-class debut against the Rabbitohs early in the year before injuring his shoulder.
His star continued to rise quickly and was selected for the New South Wales team in 2019, despite having played just 10 NRL games.
That year he also won the club’s Paul Morgan Medal, awarded to Player of the Season – repeating that feat in both 2020 and 2021.
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