Newcastle Knights: Players Salary, Coaches Salary, How Much Do Players Make Per Game

The Newcastle Knights are one of the most popular and successful teams in the NRL, having won two premierships and made the finals in three consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2023. But how much do the Knights players and coaches earn, and how does their salary cap compare to other clubs? In this article, we will reveal the latest information on the Knights’ roster, contracts, signings, and salaries for 2023, as well as answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the team.

The Knights’ Roster and Contracts for 2023

The Knights have a star-studded roster that features some of the best players in the NRL, such as Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, Jayden Brailey, and Tyson Gamble. They also have some promising young talents, such as Phoenix Crossland, Greg Marzhew, and Leo Thompson. However, they also have some players who are overpaid or underperforming, such as Mitchell Pearce, David Klemmer, and Lachlan Fitzgibbon.

The Knights have a total salary cap of $9.8 million for 2023, which is slightly below the average of $10 million for all NRL clubs. They have $800,000 in cap space after not replacing Mitchell Pearce, who left for France in December 2022. They also have some players who are off-contract at the end of 2023, such as Anthony Milford, Kurt Mann, Jacob Saifiti, and Connor Watson.

The Knights are expected to make some changes to their roster for 2023 and beyond, as they look to improve their chances of winning a premiership. They have been linked to some top players who are set to leave their respective clubs, such as Cameron Munster from the Storm, Ryan Matterson from the Eels, and Adam Elliott from the Raiders. They are also reportedly interested in re-signing some of their key players, such as Jayden Brailey, Tyson Gamble, and Greg Marzhew.

The Knights’ Players Salaries for 2023

The Knights have some of the highest paid players in the NRL, as well as some of the lowest paid players. Here is a list of some of the Knights’ players salaries for 2023, based on reported contract values:

• Kalyn Ponga: $1.4 million
• Bradman Best: $800,000
• David Klemmer: $750,000
• Jayden Brailey: $600,000
• Tyson Gamble: $200,000
• Phoenix Crossland: $150,000
• Greg Marzhew: $180,000
• Leo Thompson: $150,000

As you can see, Kalyn Ponga is the highest paid player in the NRL, earning $1.4 million per season until 2027. He is followed by Bradman Best, who signed a five-year deal worth $4 million in 2021. David Klemmer is also one of the top earners in the NRL, earning $750,000 per season until 2023.

However, not all Knights players are paid so generously. Some of them are earning well below the average NRL salary of $330,000. For example, Phoenix Crossland only earns around $150,000 per season, which is just over 10 per cent of Ponga’s salary. Tyson Gamble is also set to earn only $200,000 next season due to bonuses in his contract. Greg Marzhew and Leo Thompson are also earning only $180,000 and $150,000 respectively.

The Knights’ Coaches Salary for 2023

The Knights’ head coach is Adam O’Brien, who joined the club in 2020 after serving as an assistant coach at the Storm and the Roosters. He signed a three-year deal with the Knights worth around $1.2 million, which means he earns around $400,000 per season.

However, O’Brien’s job is not secure, as he has been under pressure after a disappointing start to the 2023 season. The Knights have won only five of their 15 games so far and sit 14th on the ladder. There have been rumours that O’Brien could be sacked if the Knights don’t make the finals or improve their performance.

The Knights’ CEO Phil Gardner has come under fire as well for his role in managing the club’s roster and salary cap. He has been accused of overpaying some players and failing to sign a quality halfback to replace Pearce. He is currently overseas and is expected to return in two to three weeks, when he will have to face some serious discussions about the future of the club.

How Much Do Knights Players Make Per Game?

The amount of money that Knights players make per game depends on their contract value and the number of games they play in a season. The NRL season consists of 25 regular rounds, plus finals for the top eight teams. The NRL also pays players a match fee for representing their state or country in representative games, such as State of Origin or Test matches.

To calculate how much a player makes per game, we can divide their annual salary by the number of games they play in a season. For example, if a player earns $300,000 per season and plays 20 games, they make $15,000 per game. However, this is only an estimate, as some players may have different clauses or incentives in their contracts that affect their earnings.

Here are some examples of how much some Knights players make per game, based on their reported salaries and the number of games they played in 2023 (as of Round 15):

• Kalyn Ponga: $1.4 million / 13 games = $107,692 per game
• Bradman Best: $800,000 / 12 games = $66,667 per game
• David Klemmer: $750,000 / 15 games = $50,000 per game
• Jayden Brailey: $600,000 / 15 games = $40,000 per game
• Tyson Gamble: $200,000 / 14 games = $14,286 per game
• Phoenix Crossland: $150,000 / 10 games = $15,000 per game
• Greg Marzhew: $180,000 / 11 games = $16,364 per game
• Leo Thompson: $150,000 / 15 games = $10,000 per game

Conclusion

The Newcastle Knights are a team with a lot of potential and talent, but also a lot of challenges and issues. They have some of the highest paid and lowest paid players in the NRL, as well as some players who are overpaid or underperforming. They have a coach who is under pressure and a CEO who is under fire. They have a salary cap that is below average and a roster that needs some changes.

The Knights will have to make some smart decisions in the next few weeks and months to turn their season around and secure their future. They will have to sign some quality players for 2023 and beyond, re-sign some of their key players, and release some of their deadwood. They will also have to support their coach and CEO and ensure they have a clear vision and strategy for the club.

The Knights have a loyal and passionate fan base that deserves to see their team succeed. They have a rich history and tradition that inspires them to strive for excellence. They have a star player in Kalyn Ponga who can lead them to glory. The Knights have everything they need to become a powerhouse in the NRL, but they also have a lot of work to do to get there.

Most Asked Questions and Answers

Q: Who is the highest paid player in the Newcastle Knights?

A: Kalyn Ponga is the highest paid player in the Newcastle Knights, earning $1.4 million per season until 2027.

Q: Who is the lowest paid player in the Newcastle Knights?

A: Leo Thompson is one of the lowest paid players in the Newcastle Knights, earning only $150,000 per season.

Q: Who is the coach of the Newcastle Knights?

A: Adam O’Brien is the coach of the Newcastle Knights. He joined the club in 2020 and signed a three-year deal worth around $1.2 million.

Q: Who is the CEO of the Newcastle Knights?

A: Phil Gardner is the CEO of the Newcastle Knights. He has been in charge of the club since 2018.

Q: How much is the Newcastle Knights salary cap for 2023?

A: The Newcastle Knights salary cap for 2023 is $9.8 million, which is slightly below the average of $10 million for all NRL clubs.

Q: How much cap space do the Newcastle Knights have for 2023?

A: The Newcastle Knights have $800,000 in cap space for 2023 after not replacing Mitchell Pearce.

Q: Which players are off-contract at the end of 2023 for the Newcastle Knights?

A: Some of the players who are off-contract at the end of 2023 for the Newcastle Knights are Anthony Milford, Kurt Mann, Jacob Saifiti, and Connor Watson.

Q: Which players are set to leave or join the Newcastle Knights for 2023?

A: Some of the players who are set to leave or join the Newcastle Knights for 2023 are Cameron Munster from the Storm, Ryan Matterson from the Eels