Injured Wests Tigers talent Adam Doueihi has grabbed headlines by taking the bold initiative to negotiate his own contract, turning down a minimum-wage offer directly from club CEO Shane Richardson.
Addressing Richardson personally about his contract concerns, Doueihi, on the road to recovery after 13 months out due to injury, has taken charge of his negotiations independently—a rare move in today’s game where most players rely on managers or agents to handle such discussions.
Doueihi’s decision reflects his belief in his own worth and his business acumen, influenced by his family background. “I come from a business-minded family. My dad owns his own dry-cleaning business, and I’ve got a good close network of friends who own successful businesses,” Doueihi explained to News Corp.
In a week overshadowed by David Fifita’s contract saga through his manager, Doueihi’s self-directed approach stands out. “I’ve always had the mindset that my footy is going to do the talking, and whether a manager is involved or not, I know my worth,” Doueihi emphasized.
With his comeback game anticipated within the next five weeks, Doueihi’s proactive stance sets a unique precedent in contract negotiations within the NRL.
