$40k Down the Drain! The Bears Breach New Anti-Tampering Rules

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The NRL Integrity Unit launched an investigation following comments made by Bears coach Mal Meninga regarding the Bears interest in signing several marquee players who are currently contracted to rival teams.

So what are these anti-tampering rules?

Clubs and officials are prohibited from publicly or privately attempting to lure players who are currently under contract to other teams.

Under these rules, players and their agents cannot negotiate with rival clubs until November 1 of the year prior to their current deal expiring.

These rules were designed to prevent coaches and officials from publicly speaking about contracted players in ways that could be seen as an attempt to lure them away before the November 1 open-negotiation window.

The Perth Bears and coach Mal Meninga were fined a combined $40,000 for publicly courting contracted players from rival clubs, which violates the NRL's newly tightened recruitment and anti-tampering rules.