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NRLW Salary 2028: Who Will Be The Highest Paid Player?

  • Writer: EXCEL Sports Management
    EXCEL Sports Management
  • May 10
  • 4 min read
NRLW salary 2028 breakdown showing player growth, contracts and highest paid player projections

The question is simple.


👉 Who will become the first $200,000 NRLW player?


Because it’s coming.


But before we talk about who…


You need to understand where the game is right now — and where it’s going. NRLW Salary 2028.


NRLW Salary 2028: Where NRLW Salaries Are Right Now


Under the current CBA (ending 2027):


  • Salary cap: $1.518 million per club

  • Minimum salary: $50,600

  • Development players: 3 players (~$700 gross per week)

  • Supplementary players:

    ~$23,000 base

    +$2,000 per game (if selected)


This is the current system.


But this is not the finished product.



NRLW Salary 2028: The Shift To Full-Time Professional Athletes


From 2028 onwards, everything changes.


NRLW salaries are not just increasing.


👉 They are evolving into a full-time professional system


This is something we’ve been preparing athletes for years.


Learn to become a professional athlete early.


Because right now:


  • too many are chasing hype

  • too many are focused on social media

  • too many are trying to become known before becoming valuable


And that works against them.


👉 Value is built with integrity and performance, not attention.



Why NRLW Salary 2028 Requires Expansion


There is a push for:


  • higher salaries

  • full-time athletes

  • better conditions


And rightly so.


But here is the reality:


👉 Media drives the game


  • fans influence media

  • media funds the game

  • the game follows the money


Media companies need:


  • more games

  • more teams

  • more content


👉 You cannot have full-time without expansion



NRLW Salary 2028: What Expansion Looks Like

  • Expect 2 new teams by 2028

  • Continued expansion across all NRL clubs

  • Long-term goal: every NRL club having a team


Realistically:


👉 2032 (worst case 2034) for full alignment


NRLW Salary 2028: Projected Salary Growth


Let’s break it down properly.


Minimum Salary Projection

  • 2027 minimum: $50,600

  • Estimated increase allocation: ~25% toward minimum salaries


👉 Projected minimum:


~$70,000–$75,000


Where The 75% Increase Actually Applies


This is what most people misunderstand.


Example:


  • Player earning: $100,000 (2027)

  • Minimum: $50,600

  • Gap: ~$50,000


Apply ~75% increase to that gap


👉 This is how contracts move toward:


$180,000–$200,000+


⚠️ Important:


This is speculation only


  • subject to RLPA

  • subject to ARL Commission

  • subject to final CBA


But direction is clear:


👉 Top-end salaries are rising fast


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NRLW Salary 2028: Who Will Dominate The Market


This is not random.


Consistent Performers (NRLW Salary 2028 Driver)

  • week-in, week-out

  • reliable

  • low error rate


👉 Clubs pay for certainty


Durable Athletes (NRLW Salary 2028 Value)

  • minimal injuries

  • high availability

  • can handle full-time load


👉 Availability = value


Players In Demand (NRLW Salary 2028 Power)


Not who fans rate.


👉 Who clubs chase.


  • multiple offers

  • timing

  • leverage


👉 Demand drives salary


Early Developed Athletes (NRLW Salary 2028 Advantage)

  • entered systems early

  • built habits young

  • understand professionalism


👉 Ready when money increases


NRLW Salary 2028: Real Examples Of Value Growth


This is where people get it wrong.


Value is not hype.


It is built over time.


The Tauaneai Family (NRLW Salary 2028 Example)


Alexis Tauaneai

  • debuted at 18

  • developed through Dragons

  • moved to Bulldogs

  • now returning to Dragons


👉 6–8 clubs chasing her


We didn’t negotiate money.


👉 We negotiated terms


Trinity Tauaneai

  • lock forward build

  • elite ball player

  • strong body composition


👉 upgraded twice in one year


  • to 2027

  • then 2028


Because she adds value fast.


Paige Tauaneai

  • development 2026

  • progressing to Top 24


👉 chasing Trinity

👉 Trinity chased Alexis


That’s how development works.


Timeline

2028 → Alexis

2029–30 → Trinity

2031–32 → Paige


Madison Mulhall

  • upgraded twice in one year

  • built through hard work


👉 future top-paid prop (2029–2030)


Mary-Jane Taito

  • debuting this year

  • highly intelligent

  • controls games


👉 commands respect through performance


Asha Taumoepeau-Williams

  • dual-code athlete

  • 3-year Warriors deal

  • ahead of her age group


👉 future top-tier earner



Current Elite Still Leading NRLW Salary 2028

  • Isabelle Kelly

  • Jessica Sergis

  • Jaime Chapman

  • Tarryn Aiken

  • Tamika Upton

  • Shalom Sauaso

  • Julia Robinson

  • Abbi Church

  • Jesse Southwell

  • Emily Bass

  • Olivia Kernick

  • Georgia Hale

  • Tiana Penitani

  • Patricia Maliepo

  • CHantay Kiria-Ratu

  • Kezzi Apps

  • Yasmin Clysdale

  • Lauren Brown

  • Angelina Katoa

  • Sara Sautia

  • Ebony Prior


I can keep going and this is only scrapping the surface


👉 benchmark players


How Value Is ACTUALLY Built


Not:

  • hype

  • social media

  • opinions


But:

  • performance

  • coach trust

  • system fit

  • professionalism


What Athletes Must Do Now For NRLW Salary 2028

Build Like A Professional



Understand The System



Focus Long-Term


Position Yourself For Demand


👉 become someone clubs chase


Why Excel Sports Athletes Are Ahead


We are not for everyone.


And not everyone is for us.


We build:


  • structure

  • discipline

  • value


👉 not hype


Final Truth About NRLW Salary 2028


The highest paid player in 2028…


👉 is not built in 2028


They are being built right now.


👉 The real question is:


Who is doing the work early enough to be in that position?


Don't forget to go to our Acceleration Blueprint page - Click Here


For more info on what we can do for you, Contact us at EXCEL Sports

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