Friday, February 7, 2025
23.2 C
Canberra

‘May have a better tax benefit’: PNG bid boss Andrew Hill hits back at salary cap suggestion

It's the news that a nation of footy fans had been waiting to hear and a decision that bid boss Andrew Hill could not be more excited about.

Papua New Guinea are in the NRL.

PNG was unveiled as the latest expansion franchise in the NRL, with the Port Moresby-based team set to be introduced to the competition in 2028.

The reported $600 million expansion will trigger a frenzy of over 50 NRL and NRLW contracts on offer, with players set to receive tax compensation if they make the move to the nation.

Funded by the Australian Government over the next decade, the deal includes greater financial support for the game's development, pathway systems, team structure and fees to join the competition.

The landmark deal is expected to attract an array of high-end talent, with a focus on tax benefits likely to be the difference between remaining in Australia or making the move to Port Moresby.

The proposed tax benefits will see PNG-based Australians able to pocket their entire gross wage – a benefit not available for domestic-based athletes.

Questions on how the salary cap system will be governed by the NRL have since arisen, but Hill insists the tax difference does not alter the total budget allocated to the team.

"Our salary cap number is the same as everyone else," he told 2GB's Wide World of Sports radio.

"We can't spend any more money than any other club, it's just that the player may have a better tax benefit if they choose to play in PNG."

Hill revealed the excitement of the PNG team is set to unite the community across the nation on a mass scale with greater opportunities ready to be put in place for young children to pursue their dreams in the NRL.

Sylvester Namo of Papua New Guinea is tackled. Getty

While many rising stars from the nation will be eager to take on the challenge of the NRL, Hill confirmed no policy will be enforced to ensure a specific number of homegrown talent are selected for the team.

"The prime minister [James Marape] in the press today said we are not here to make up the numbers we are here to win," Hill said.

"He wants the very best team that we can get. We will be in the marketplace attracting the best talent, however, there is a pathway for players.

"We just need to focus on that. In three or four years' time, we are going to turn some young boys and girls from small villages in PNG into national heroes. 

"My focus is to put the very best team on the park."

The name and colours of the team will be a high priority for Hill following the Christmas break, with progress on the jersey's design already in the works.

"Look I'm going to give you an exclusive, I think the colours are going to be around the national colours of PNG," Hill said.

"In terms of the name, this will be the people's team. This will be a team that brings together lots and lots of people.

"From day one, we have never focused on the name, the coaches and players. We just built relationships [and] pathways… and now here we are as an NRL team.

"We are going to have lots of fun with boys and girls in primary and secondary schools developing this team."

2GB's Wide World of Sports radio host Mark Levy suggested the PNG Crocs as a contender for the team's name – an idea Hill accepted.

Hill replied: "The PNG Crocs or the Salties".

"I will put it on the list. I will see if that makes the final five."

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Hot this week

Topics

spot_img

Related Articles