'Homesick' Ben Hannant may quit Bulldogs

[lynx000]

As I said,it depends on how much weight you can put on it, you both made valid points why it may be more rumour.

 

[Foordy]

Hannant chases a $150,000 pay rise

HOMESICK prop Ben Hannant told the Bulldogs his decision to ask for a release was not motivated by money - but he is asking for a $150,000-a-year pay rise to return to Queensland.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that the Queensland and Australia front-rower shopped himself to both the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans for $450,000 a season after he told the Bulldogs he wanted out of his $300,000-a-year deal because his family wanted to return home.

The Titans last week pulled out of negotiations with Hannant for 2011 after learning of his asking price.

"If I was a betting man I would say he will be staying here for the rest of the year," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said.

The Sunday Telegraph has also discovered that Hannant asked for a bonus for making the Australian team just months before fronting Greenberg and asking for a release.

"He asked the club if he had a rep bonus in his contract," a Bulldogs source said.

"But he did the deal himself without a manager and did not have a clause inserted. The Bulldogs told him they paid him overs when they signed him in anticipation of him becoming an Australian player."

The Bulldogs suspect that Hannant's "homesickness" may have been fuelled by a fellow Queenslander with whom he played on last year's Four Nations tour.

It is understood the player told Hannant he was being underpaid by the Bulldogs and said he should return to Queensland where he could earn more money.

After returning from the tour, Hannant, who has never had a manager, signed powerful player agent George Mimis to help broker a deal.

Mimis last night refused to comment on Hannant's asking price.

"His business is his business," Mimis said. "His worth will be determined by the market. I think there are a number of clubs with props paid over $400,000 a year. But I won't be saying what he is seeking at this stage because it is confidential."

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl ... 5849246626

 

[ningnangnong]

If this is true, then it is quite ridiculous behaviour from Ben Hannant.

 

[Foordy]

If that is true the i don't for one second believe that he is homesick.

 

[Professor47]

As I stated before - I do believe he does want to come home but in my opinion, he won't come back for unders.

So, how home sick are you Mr Hannant?

Time will tell.

 

[Kaz]

I said all along, he only wants the money.

He went to the Bulldogs, as they offered him $100,000 more than the Broncos offered. (Although the Broncos offer was what he was worth at the time)

But since getting picked for QLD & Australia, he now thinks he is worth about $500,000

 

[Bucking Beads]

He really should take less to play in QLD but he is as greedy as they come.. I'd pay him 300k and thats about it TBH. Petor had to play rep standard footy for nearly 10 years to get that kind of money.

 

[Foordy]

How can he on the one hand say to the Bulldogs that he wants a release because he (or his family) is homesick and he really wants to return to SE QLD, then on the other hand say to the Broncos and Titans, i want 450, 000 a year, if you want me to sign for you. :roll:

 

[Bucking Beads]

Is he really worth 450k?? I'd give him that money if the salary cap was increased by a $1 000 000

 

[Kaz]

Wonder who told him he was underpaid.

These are the other QLD players on tour.

Petero Civoniceva, Cooper Cronk, Israel Folau, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer, David Shillington, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Sam Thaiday & Johnathan Thurston.

 

[Foordy]

Wonder who told him he was underpaid.

These are the other QLD players on tour.

Petero Civoniceva, Cooper Cronk, Israel Folau, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer, David Shillington, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Sam Thaiday & Johnathan Thurston.

there is one name that sticks out on that list.

 

[Kaz]

Isn't Locker, Slater and Hodges managed by Mimis.

 

[Professor47]

To suggest his motive was money is ludicrous.

I don't think anyone is saying that is his only motive?...

Clearly one of the conditions he is looking for though...

So the question is, which is stronger?

Is he home sick enough to go back to QLD for 50k less?

You tell me Rock.

 

[Kaz]

Unless Ben is trying to 'blackmail' the Dogs into increasing his contract.

LOL@him not having the clause about getting extra if he became a Rep player.

Strange he never had a manager before, but he has one now.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think he wants both TBH, all the signs suggest he wants more money. Going in asking for a bonus because he made a rep team. weeks later he asks for a release because his family is homesick... If you put it all together he is motivated by money because he asked for more money first IMO.

 

[Kimlo]

According to Ben himself, that's his only motive, his family. If money was also his motive then he'd either stay at the Bulldogs or move to a different Sydney club!

You make it sound like the two must be exclusive. Ben Hannant also said he would never leave QLD, his word doesn't much when he publicly says something than goes back on it a few weeks later.
If I was working away from home for 50k p.a and had the option of working at home for say 50k a year I would definitely take it. If I could get a payrise AND go back home than fantastic!

He's not doing anything out of the ordinary and the only grudge I hold is how he is sugarcoating it. Actions speak louder than words, he's happy to stay at Bulldogs for the full contract term if he can't "sort anything out" which really means get a huge contract back in QLD which at least matches it because same pay + home > same pay + away from home. He could very well be "homesick" but how is he willing to sacrifice money to not be homesick, not likely. Now is his chance to be at home and still earn big money something he couldn't do before which is why he left in a heart beat.

He also didn't have a manager before because he is a tight arse, when he didn't have a rep bonus clause in his contract he must of finally realised that he would be better off with a manager because he could get him a big enough to deal to compensate for the ~ 10% + more.

 

[Kimlo]

Wonder who told him he was underpaid.

These are the other QLD players on tour.

Petero Civoniceva, Cooper Cronk, Israel Folau, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer, David Shillington, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Sam Thaiday & Johnathan Thurston.

Who cares though everyone would tell a friend if they thought they were being underpaid, it's not something out of the ordinary. Friends are meant to give advice.
BTW to narrow it down I'm fairly sure Hodges, Lockyer, Slater are managed by Mimi's who is now Ben Hannant's manager.

 

[Huge]

I'd reckon Sammy Thaiday would've told him how much props earn...he'd know what a northern based prop who's played for aus earns...although the only sources I'd trust are direct quotes from the player or clubs involved. If his manager said he's earning x or wants y then only if he says it in front of Hannant will I believe any of it. If your sensible then that should be the rule for you too.