ethos
BroncoKiwi
Chump of the Week – Sonny Bill Williams (and his lawyer)
July 29th 2008 06:39
Category: Chump of the Week
By Matthew Johns (BroncoKiwi)
The 'Chump of the Week' for Round 20 is none other than $onny Bill Williams (and his lawyer).
What is going on with the lawyer advising Sonny Bill Williams? So far the advice seems anything but calm, considered and measured. Did the conversation go something like this...?
Sonny - ‘I want out of my contract, any ideas?’
Lawyer – ‘Hmmm let me think, I know just walk away, I’m sure no one will notice...’
But notice they did, and the ramifications of Williams decision to down tools at the Doggies, ignore his contract and simply walk away in pursuit of more cash could land him in some seriously hot water.
Reports of jail time are laughable, but the possibility that Williams could be left out in the cold is very real.
Sure there will be big hurdles for the NRL to jump if they are to convince the IRB to care about the wishes of Rugby League, but Gallop has made it clear that he considers Williams public enemy number one and will stop at nothing to ensure ‘justice is done’.
What that means exactly is up for debate. Williams has been subpoenaed to appear in the NSW Supreme Court next Tuesday, which will be the NRL’s chance to halt any future in rugby for SBW. What is unknown is how much, (if any) jurisdiction the NSW court will have on Europe, let alone France.
SBW’s lawyers will use this opportunity to demonise the salary cap as a blatant form of restraint of trade, and they may well have a point, but the reality is Sonny Bill Williams name is fast becoming mud.
Even die hard Kiwi’s fans are not happy with the move, although few would have been faced with the decision to weigh up $450,000 a year over 5 years, compared to $3 million over 2 years.
I have to wonder what the real reason is for him to make such a move. I know he wasn’t too happy at his club. I know he was lumped with the pressure of lifting the Bulldogs failing season, but surely there must have been something else going on.
If he had ambitions of becoming an All Black, demonstrating a clear lack of respect for the sanctity of a contract will not have done him any favours. I don’t care how good you are.
Any new club will wonder if the bond of his signature is worth the paper it’s written on.
And I know the cliché of “ I have to do what right for my family...” but really, $450,000 guaranteed income for 5 years isn’t exactly living on the breadline. And you have to look at it from the Bulldogs perspective, does SBW really think they would have offered him $450,000 a year if he was only going to hang around for one year. No way. The big pay cheque was reward for the commitment SBW showed for the club.
SBW has abused this trust and commitment, and it may come back to haunt him.
Then again All Blacks coach Graham Henry could do with some talent right now...
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Comment by ethos
NRL Live
Looking in from the outside he should have handled the situation in a better manner. I mean, why not talk to his club, or the NRL, about his issues?
In my opinion, to walk out without telling anyone is weak and pretty cowardly.
Comment by ethos
NRL Live
It was interesting to hear what Mundine had to say but I really want Williams to front the media himself and give his side of the story. The fans and his team mates deserve some sort of explanation.