Cover-up claims exposed in bitter $5.75M feud
The standoff between Payne Haas and his former agent Chris Orr has taken a twist, with the Brisbane Broncos star now being sued for over $200,000 amid claims the forward covered up a serious traffic offence.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports Haas is now facing a counter claim from Orr for unpaid commission fees of $201,200 in the NSW Supreme Court.
Haas had taken his former manager to court in February to recover agent fees he paid to Orr, launching a civil action against Orr and Original Pro Sports Pty Ltd, which trades as Pacific Sports Management.
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Haas says he didn’t deserve suspension
Now Orr has made a counter claim, saying he negotiated a $5.75 million contract with the Broncos, which would make Haas the richest forward in the game but he didn’t sign and went on to link with another NRL agent, Tyran Smith.
Orr argued that the 22-year-old’s actions caused his company “a loss of reputation and goodwill … particularly with the Broncos and NRL”, according to the documents obtained by The Herald.
Haas denied Orr’s allegations about that deal, arguing that his legal team told his ex-agent’s solicitors in November that he intended to end his player agent deal.
Court documents alleged Haas is pocketing $748,000 this season, with his salary to increase to $798,000 in 2023 and $848,000 the next year.
In addition to the contract dispute, Orr also alleged the Broncos star did not tell the club about a charge of driving without a licence and using his mobile phone while driving in 2019.
Orr’s cross claim also argues Original Pro Sports suffered “significant expense” assisting Haas with a number of other off-field incidents.
Haas denies the latest allegations in Orr’s counter claim, according to the report.
Haas is off-contract at the end of the 2024 season and stands to enter the NRL’s $1 million club should he agree to the latest extension offer with the Broncos.
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