What is the Players’ Share of Revenue?
The Players’ Share of Revenue is the amount of money the RLPA negotiates with the NRL to support players.
It’s agreed during collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations and represents the players’ share of the money the NRL forecasts it will generate.
Players do not share in the revenue generated by clubs and the entire salary cap is funded by the Players’ Share of Revenue negotiated between the RLPA and the NRL.
What does this cover?
The Players’ Share funds a wide range of important areas that directly support players, including (but not limited to):
- Salary Cap
- Insurances
- Wellbeing and Education
- Key policies
- Prizemoney
- Retirement Funds
- The RLPA
- Past Player & Transition Program
- Past Player Medical Support Fund
- Representative Payments
- Injury Hardship Fund
Does the amount change?
The total amounts are agreed for the term of the CBA (usually five years) and the current term runs from 2023 to 2027.
If something major happens that changes the way the money was calculated (like new competitions, teams or big shifts in agreed positions), the affected funds can be renegotiated.
How does this work between the NRL and NRLW players?
There are three sections of the payment pool — one for NRL players, one for NRLW players, and one for both (mutual) — to meet the different needs of each competition and shared benefits.
- Some funds are shared across both (like Wellbeing Programs [League Ahead] and the Past Player & Transition Program).
- Some are specific to the competition, for example:
- The NRLW pool funds additional policies like the Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy, Replacement Player Policy, and Relocation Policy.
- These don’t apply to the NRL pool because the competitions and needs are different.
What happens when the game does well financially?
Players and the NRL now share in the success!
The RLPA secured a genuine revenue sharing arrangement in the CBA. This means that when the NRL surpasses its revenue forecasts, players are entitled to a share of that surplus. It helps tie the players and the NRL together in a partnership and encourages players and the NRL to work together — when the game grows, everyone benefits.
Read more RLPA Policy Positions and FAQs.
