The sticking point in Payne Haas’ contract breakdown with the Broncos is purely based on team performance, not money, according to a report.
Haas is at the centre of off-field drama after it was revealed that contract negotiations between him and the Broncos broke down, with the 22-year-old’s management emailing the club seeking an immediate release on Wednesday.
Haas is contracted to Brisbane until the end of the 2024 season, a deal reported to be worth $750,000 for 2022, rising to $800,000 in 2023 and $850,000 in 2024.
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According to Nine and The Sydney Morning Herald’s Danny Weidler, performance clauses are the reason behind the messy stand-off.
Weidler reports the Broncos have put a six-year deal on the table for the star prop, but Haas instead wants to extend his deal for three years worth $1 million for next season and 2024, and then a bump of $1.2 million for 2025.
The three-year extension allows Haas to exit the club if the Broncos don’t make the finals in year one of the deal, or if they don’t make the top six and top four in years two and three, according to Weidler.
Haas wants premierships and finals football more than anything, which Weidler claims is causing the contract drama between both parties.
With Brisbane missing finals over the past two seasons, the star prop’s only taste of post-season NRL was Brisbane’s 58-0 loss to Parramatta in 2019.
Haas is expected to line up for New South Wales in game one of the Origin series in Sydney on June 8, with Blues coach Brad Fittler to announce his squad on Sunday night.
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