The Penrith Panthers have upped their offer to Jarome Luai, tabling the star five-eighth a two-year, $1.7 million deal to keep him at the club until the end of 2026.
Luai, who is off contract at the Panthers at the end of 2024, held a meeting with Penrith powerbrokers 11 days ago, when he was told of the club’s increased spending capacity.
Jarome Luai is weighing up his future.Credit: Sydney Morning Herald / Rhett Wyman
As revealed by the Herald two months ago, the Panthers indicated to Luai that they would not be able to pay him more than $800,000 a season.
That figure has since increased to about $850,000, but the Panthers have offered him only a two-year deal.
Rival clubs, who believe it would take a long-term deal worth in excess of $1m a year to lure Luai away from his junior club, are monitoring the situation but can’t make a formal offer until November 1.
Luai has indicated his preference is to remain with the Panthers but he wants to explore what could potentially be more lucrative and longer deals at other clubs before making a decision.
Stephen Crichton with Panthers and Samoa teammates Brian To’o and Jarome Luai after the grand final win.Credit: NRL Photos
In the past week, Luai has linked up with Black Money, the management company of Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, after terminating his previous agent agreement with SFX Sports Group.
The Panthers’ salary cap position is tight due to big-money deals with Nathan Cleary (estimated at $1.3 million per year), Dylan Edwards ($850,000), James Fisher-Harris ($950,000), Liam Martin ($750,000) and Isaah Yeo ($850,000).
They also have young gun Jack Cole, a potential future NRL No.6, coming through the system. Former Canberra player Brad Schneider will also replace the departing Jack Cogger as the club’s back-up playmaker next year.
The Herald contacted the Panthers for comment but rugby league chief executive Matt Cameron would not divulge the details of the club’s conversations with Luai.
“Jarome is aware of the club’s capacity moving forward,” Cameron said. “He will obviously command interest on the open market and we have no problem with him investigating all his options if he needs to after the first of November.”
The Herald also contacted Luai for comment. Luai had shoulder surgery last week and missed the Pacific Championship as a result. The NSW and Samoan representative is expected to be fit for round one.
