With tax-free money to burn, Chiefs have sent a shudder through the NRL
The upcoming PNG NRL franchise, the Chiefs, is causing concern among existing clubs due to its ability to offer players tax-free club salaries and third-party deals, significantly boosting take-home earnings. The recruitment of high-profile player Jarome Luai, reportedly aided by a private jet arranged by the PNG government, has highlighted the competitive advantage the new team holds. With third-party payments in PNG also exempt from tax, fears are growing that this financial edge could disrupt the NRL's competitive balance.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","dateModified":"2026-05-01T05:30:00Z","datePublished":"2026-05-01T05:30:00Z","description":"As well as their regular wages, third-party deals are exempt from tax for players at the PNG NRL franchise, which could send their earnings into the stratosphere.","headline":"With tax-free money to burn, Chiefs have sent a shudder through the NRL","keywords":"NRL 2026, Just in, For subscribers, Papua New Guinea, Australia","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Chris Barrett","jobTitle":"Senior sports…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.