<P> In 1990, the NSWRL introduced a salary cap system to even the playing field of teams in the Winfield Cup . The National Rugby League has adopted the salary cap system from its predecessor . A special team headed by former Australian representative Ian Schubert deals with salary cap issues and monitors teams on a yearly basis . </P> <P> As of 2013 the club grant is $100 million which covers the salary cap of $5.85 million for the top twenty - five players at each club . The salary cap will increase to $6.3 million in 2014, $6.55 million in 2015, $6.8 million by 2016 and $7 million in 2017 . The minimum wage from 2013 onwards is $80,000 for the top twenty - five players . </P> <P> In 2010, following the Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal, the NRL introduced requirements for players and their agents to sign statutory declarations pledging their contracts comply with salary cap regulations, where previously only club chairmen and chief executives did so for biannual salary cap audits . </P>

What is the salary cap in rugby league