NRL great turned player agent Braith Anasta admits he would welcome an overhaul to the contract model that would make it similar to the NBA.
The news cycle this year - and for many years now - has been dominated by player movement, which has seen some ludicrous deals signed.
Dylan Brown set a new record earlier in the year, agreeing to terms with Newcastle on a contract worth $14 million across a 10-year period.
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It's a deal many believe will inflate the NRL's player market for years to come, especially given the New Zealand international will soon be earning more than some of the game's elite stars such as Nathan Cleary, Harry Grant and James Tedesco.
Dylan Brown in action for the Eels against the Panthers in round 19.
Dylan Brown NRL Images
The likes of Jason Taumalolo and Daly Cherry-Evans have also previously signed extremely long-term contracts at their respective clubs to varying degrees of success, but neither has managed to deliver a premiership since signing on the dotted line.
The biggest issue centres around player options in long-term deals, which has burned many clubs - most notably the Titans and Eels.
Just two years ago, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui signed a contract that would see him remain on the Gold Coast for a decade on an estimated $1 million per season.
It was a massive boost for the struggling club, but what wasn't announced at the time was that Fa'asuamaleaui had clauses in his contract that allowed him to leave early.
Fa'asuamaleaui will test the open market in November this year, which could see him depart the Titans at the end of 2026 - with the player potentially walking away from seven years of guaranteed money.
Tino Faasuamaleaui of the Titans.
Tino Faasuamaleaui Getty
The aforementioned Brown found himself in a similar position at Parramatta and opted to walk away from a deal that wasn't set to expire until the end of 2031.
Speaking on SEN, Anasta was quizzed about whether rugby league officials should adopt the same model as the NBA, which only allows players to sign a contract for a maximum period of five years at any given time.
"I like the idea - very rarely are these long deals successful, rarely it is a happy relationship the whole time," he said.
"Titans and Newcastle do it because it the only way they can secure the player. Even with Tino, every year he's putting himself on the open market it's crazy.
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"I feel sorry for clubs that have to go big or they can't secure the services of the player.
"If there was a blanket rule, if it was only five years, it would be right.
"Look at Brown, look at the way he's is playing, he's on $1.4 million a year for 10 years at Newcastle, he's blown their cap out and they're probably regretting the decision now.
"It cant be a good thing. It's few and far between when it works."
Anasta acts as the manager for Storm duo Cameron Munster and Jonah Pezet, as well as out-of-favour Dragons halfback Lachlan Ilias, while juggling media commitments.
Braith Anasta and Cameron Munster.
Braith Anasta and Cameron Munster. Getty
While the comments from Anasta are thought provoking, it's a tough sell to the existing 17 clubs to shorten the potential length of contracts - especially with the looming threat of the Perth Bears and PNG expansion teams.
There are plenty of players across the game locked up until the end of 2029 which will stop poaching raids from the two newest teams.
The likes of Keano Kini, Haumole Olakau'atu and Jahrome Hughes have been locked in by their current clubs for even longer periods of time.