Is all the fuss over Sonny Bill Williams justified? ?

Question

Let me first say, AFL supporter but I follow the NRL just not as passionately. I know he should not have just walked, but really, If he doesn't want to be here anymore - then I say "see ya later", You dont want to play for your club, with your team, then F... off we dont want you.

They are talking about seizing his assets and maybe jail! He broke a contract, he should pay back any money he has not earned on his contract yet, but jail?? I mean we can all leave our jobs, your supposed to give notice, but sometimes you just need to leave, its not right, but you just do.

Is the hype justified?

Answer 1

I think its gone to far as saying that he should serve jail time... give him a massive fine and move on I say...

All this media attention with this c**p is getting old...

Answer 2

I don't like all of this media over SBW. He’s gone and that’s that. I think he should just be banned from the NRL and that’s it.

Answer 3

just ask him for his pay for the last six months back and fine him as well  

Answer 4

I think there are a couple of issues here. You're right, sometimes you do feel like just leaving; that's just looking at the short term - doing that could jeopardise you in the future (references etc.)  $BW let down a large amount of people; as well as (demonstrating in some peoples opinion) he is not a man of his word - possibly damaging his reputation for any future negotiations.  Blaming others for his actions - esp. from the other side of the world & not face to face - is not the act of a man.

Another issue is this, if he is allowed to do it - & get away with this behaviour - how many more players will flip their clubs & fans the "bird"; break their contract & go for a "better deal"? The NRL are concerned about the floodgates opening, leading to a mass exodus of players.  I think the NRL are trying to make an example of $DW by taking this action, hopefully making players see there is a consequence to stupid, disloyal actions.

In my opinion, a lot of young players are paid too much, missing their education sometimes to play (I know a couple of players from the time they were at school) & not taught there is life after footy;   & so don't put any career in place for that - maybe that's why some have no concept of loyalty & legalities & think a contract isn't worth the paper it's written on.

I thnk the whole thing is so over, let's get on with it!

Answer 5

Even though ur an AFL supporter I have to completly agree with you.. this whole SBW S**t has gone on long enough, all it is doing is putting him in the lime light that little bit longer.. giving him all this media attention is partly what he wants!!!

Let the politics side of things be dealt with.. if they wanna take him to court let them... BUT us as NRL supporters need to stop talking about the subject and MOVE ON.. we have so much talent in our game.. lets pay attention to them instead of the one loser who ran away...

Answer 6

No ! He's a little fish who didn't get his own way in a bigger pond i.e captaincy, so he packed up his bat and ball and left. Yes, because maybe it will make others think twice about doing the same thing. I guarantee he doesn't have any assets in Australia to seize, that would have been taken care of ages ago.  

Answer 7

The analogy with a standard employment contract is wrong!  In standard employment contracts there is an established process of either party serving notice before terminating.

In the case of $BW and most other professional athletes, there is no concept of terminating the contract early (unless it has been specifically included). This is more so for the protection of the player who then can't get fired when on long term injury!

Personally, I think contracts without a get out clause (both ways) are stupid .... but no one puts a gun to the head of the players and forces them to sign.  Their agents, their players' associations and they themselves should be held to blame for not getting better contracts signed.

However, as has been said before, this is now a matter for the courts and the games administrators to sort out...and they must sort it out....though it no longer needs to be played out in the media.  Let's get on with the game!

Answer 8

Short answer... NO.

But it does raise questions about the validity of NRL contracts.. seems they aren't worth the paper they are printed on. This is why the NRL must pursue SBW as a way to ironclad contracts, as they should be. SBW thought he was top sh$t when he signed, he was among the highest paid players, only when he changed manager and became aware of the big money offers from french rugby did he become unhappy, too fricken bad mate!! If any of us sign a contract and the cooling off period lapses, we are stuck to honoring that contract.

I hope they do put him in jail.. to serve as a lesson to all players, that loyalty still means something and that there are serious consequences to break a contract.

Answer 9

The Dogs did have major claims against Sonny Bill. The first is obviously walking out on his contract. Ideally, he would just pay back any monies that he owed from walking out. Here I do agree with you totally. Tell him to POQ.

Secondly, having SBW as a player was a plus for the Dogs in obtaining sponsors, with him the Dogs would have hoped to a finals contender, increased ticket sales.

Having a player of his calibre would also attract other good players.

It is more for these last two points that the Dogs are chasing Sonny Bill for.

Hopefully, tnhe sorry saga will reach its conclusion next week.