Rugby Star Dupont Slams Proposed Salary Cap Cut Amidst Growing Economy
The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) is reviewing the salary cap for the upcoming season, with a proposal to lower it. This has sparked debate, with players' union Provale involved. Antoine Dupont, a scrum-half currently recovering from injury, has voiced concerns about the situation.
Dupont argues that the rugby economy has grown since the current salary cap was set. Four or five years ago, clubs had fewer sponsorship deals, but now, players are not seeing the benefits of this growth. He believes the LNR is being too controlling in overseeing players' commercial partnerships, which should not be considered in the salary cap calculation.
Dupont feels that players should be free to benefit from their image rights affiliations outside their club. The current regulation allows this, but Dupont argues that stagnating salaries and restrictions on using their image are not in line with the growing rugby economy. Provale, the players' union, has made agreements with the LNR to review these regulations.
The LNR is discussing a new salary cap for the next season, with president Yann Roubert expressing a desire to lower it. The current cap is €10.7 million, including any exploitation of a player's image in advertising contracts. Dupont's concerns highlight the ongoing debate about player remuneration in relation to the growing rugby economy.
