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Anasta: Why NRL must adopt NBA contract rules
SEN • August 19th, 2025 11:51 am
Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Former NRL star Braith Anasta has called for the league to introduce a contract length cap similar to the NBA's.
With deals upward of 10 years being bandied around between clubs, the 43-year-old has flagged the risks associated with long-term agreements believing they are detrimental to the club and player.
The likes of Jason Taumalolo (10 years), Kaeo Weekes (until 2029), and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (10 years) have been signed in recent years, but in spite of their supposed security, the players continue to test the open market.
Anasta wants to see an end to it.
"I like the idea," he told SENQ's Corey Parker when asked about the NBA's maximum term deal regulations.
"Very rarely are these long deals successful, rarely it is a happy relationship the whole time."
Changes in coach, performance decline and injury are often cited as issued impacting the long-term contracts but for Anasta is also signals a level of desperation from middle road clubs.
"The Titans (with Tino) and Newcastle with Brown do it because it the only way they can secure the player," he continued.
"Even with Tino, every year he's putting himself on the open market it's crazy.
"I feel sorry for the clubs that have to go big or they can't secure the services of the player
"If there was a blanket rule, if it was only five years, it would be right.
"Look at Brown, look at the way he's is playing, he's on $1.4m a year for 10 years at Newcastle, he's blown their cap out and they're probably regretting the decision now.
"It cant be a good thing. It's few and far between when it works."
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