Only 30 per cent of NRL players cited money as a reason to change clubs, according to a timely Rugby League Players’ Association survey conducted just as the game prepares to expand into new markets. An RLPA Player’s Pulse poll of its members, numbering more than 700 male and female respondents, provided a range of insights into satisfaction levels with clubs and agents. The most intriguing finding stemmed from their motivation to change teams. While 80 per cent of the broader Australian workforce cited financial gain and easing cost of living as their driver to change jobs, less than one in three players were driven by money to change teams. The insights are timely given the NRL just granted PNG a licence to enter the competition in 2028 , while a Perth franchise could soon be given the nod to come in a year earlier. PNG hopes the lure of tax-free status will be an extra incentive for prospective targets, but the survey results suggest most players will prioritise other considerations. “Total remuneration is, of course, important to players as it is to anyone in the community,” said RLPA chief executive Clint Newton. “However, what primarily motivates players to sign for other clubs is, on the whole, not driven purely by financial terms. That has been consistent for many years in our surveys of our members.” Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo said the tax concessions would make it hard for players to ignore the franchise. “Safety would be the first one you’d need to [address],” Yeo said on Friday after being awarded the Gold Boot award for best international player for 2024. “There are obviously [tax] perks. It will be interesting to see how everything looks in two years’ time when all the creases have been ironed out and problems solved. “There are financial benefits. There might be fringe players here who want to go over for the chance to become regular first-graders, and those who want to experience a different culture. “If you’re getting paid $1.6 million and not getting taxed on it, it might not be as hard as you think to get [a marquee player].” Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has spent a lot of time in Papua New Guinea, and believes there will be a numer of players willing to make the move, especially with the tax concessions. “It’s a beautiful country that has a lot of beautiful people,” Meninga said. A total of 41 per cent of players had represented just one club, a further 41 per cent had played at two, 13 per cent had played at three and 5 per cent had played for four. Of those on the move, 48 per cent said their decision boiled down to issues with their previous club, including the coaching and high-performance set-up (22 per cent) or a poor culture (21 per cent). A further 42 per cent shifted because they were told their current club wouldn’t offer them a new deal. “Shoulder-tapping is a blight on the culture of too many clubs and has forced players to find new employers or run the risk of facing some form of retribution or exclusion,” Newton said. “It’s an area we are constantly vigilant on, as we are with the whole workplace environment at clubs, club staff, high-performance standards and facilities. “Our survey results prove that players are looking at more than just dollar figures when they move clubs, with their families, workplace environments, and playing opportunities topping that list of preferences.” Factors relating to new clubs were influential for 40 per cent of players indicating they are seeking holistic improvements and improved career prospects rather than just money. Notable draws for players were improved playing opportunities (56 per cent), better locations for family and personal life (35 per cent) and enhanced culture (20 per cent). A poll has revealed the real reasons why players stay or choose to move clubs. “With the announcement of PNG these survey results really show that the game will need to do more than throw money at players and offer tax incentives if expansion clubs are to build really competitive squads,” Newton said. “Some clubs still need to look at the bigger picture for players and what a new contract will do for their careers, their personal lives, their families and their legacies. “That goes for any expansion club whether it be PNG, or Perth, New Zealand, Queensland or any of the other options the Commission is looking at.” Players were asked to rate their club on a number of different levels, resulting in them being an overall satisfaction rating. South Sydney was the top-ranked NRL club. “As a club we’re naturally pleased and proud to score so highly in an independent survey completed by the players’ association,” said Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly. NRLW players were also polled and club satisfaction was highest at Parramatta. Loading “We have made significant investments in our women’s program to provide the staff, support and infrastructure necessary for our female players to succeed,” said Parramatta CEO Jim Sarantinos. “It’s wonderful to see that our players appreciate these efforts, but it’s also important to recognise that they have played a key role in shaping the culture they are a part of.” Players were also quizzed about their relationships with their agents, who combined make more than $14 million in client fees. The survey found those players with between two and five seasons of experience were the cohort most dissatisfied with their managers. Additional reporting Christian Nicolussi Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article NRL 2024 Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in Sport LoadingTruckloads of Cheer: Truck Master Warranty Donates Toy Trucks to Children's Hospitals for the Holidaysblackjack filipino 。

After a significant reduction in 2021, the NFL’s salary cap is back on the rise. This year brought a record spike, which produced some windfalls — particularly along the offensive and defensive lines — in the days that followed. More growth is coming, but not quite as much as what 2024 brought. This year produced a $30.6M spike, raising the league’s salary ceiling to $255.4M. The NFL is not planning to offer teams a projection this year, marking a deviation from the norm, but NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport does indicate where clubs are expecting next year’s number to sit. Teams are planning for the 2025 cap to come in between $265 M -$275M. A $10M increase would be in line with the annual jumps during the 2011 CBA, but since the COVID-19 pandemic brought a 2021 reduction, the 2020 CBA — thanks in part to the expanded playoff bracket, 17th regular-season game and a new round of TV deals — has produced bigger leaps. At this time last year, clubs were a bit more pessimistic on the 2024 cap. An expectation pointed to a $240M salary ceiling for this year . That turned out to be well off the actual number, a development the Giants’ "Hard Knocks: Offseason" series revealed caught their GM (Joe Schoen) by surprise. We did hear earlier this offseason that at least one team, the Cowboys, did not expect similar cap growth for 2025. A May report predicted around a $10M climb , which would certainly not rival what happened this year. That would affect teams’ plans for free agency and extensions. The media kicker in the 2020 CBA, which can raise the players’ revenue share from 48% to 48.8%, played a role in this year’s cap spike. The NFL still, however, has not yet moved away from the effects of COVID. The pandemic leading to fanless stadiums (in many cases) and capped attendance at others in 2020 produced a $15.7M cap reduction in 2021. Only the 2011 season, which came after a lockout and an uncapped 2010, had previously brought a decline. The 2025 offseason, though, is believed to be the final year in which the effects from the pandemic impact the NFL’s salary cap, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes . Teams generally know what the cap will be around the NFL Draft Combine, leaving some mystery ahead. A $9M deferment will affect the 2025 and ’26 caps, Rapoport adds, noting that the NFL and NFLPA agreed to keep that money from being piled onto this year’s record number. Otherwise, the NFL’s 2024 cap would have passed $260M. Franchise- and transition-tag numbers, fifth-year option figures, RFA tender prices and other matters will be determined as a result of where the cap lands. Here is where the cap has stood in each year during the past two CBAs: 2011: $120.4M 2012: $120.6M 2013: $123.6M 2014: $133M 2015: $143.3M 2016: $155.3M 2017: $167M 2018: $177.2M 2019: $188.2M 2020: $198.2M 2021: $182.5M 2022: $208.2M 2023: $224.8M 2024: $255.4M This article first appeared on Pro Football Rumors and was syndicated with permission.At this stage, it would probably be more of a surprise if Marcus Rashford was ushered back into Manchester United ’s squad than if his current exclusion continued for another game, and possibly longer. His team are struggling for points, four places above the Premier League ’s relegation zone. Should they lose to Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Monday, that will be six defeats in December and the first time they have lost four in a row since 1961. Advertisement Who, though, can confidently predict that Ruben Amorim will bring Rashford back into a side that has scored fewer goals this season than 18th-placed Leicester City ? It feels unlikely given that Amorim’s recent selections have made it abundantly clear he does not like what he sees, or hears, when it comes to one of the club’s highest-paid players. Rashford has been omitted from the past four squads and, when a player is frozen out that way, the lesson of history is that the story rarely gets a happy ending. Roberto Mancini did make up with Carlos Tevez (or, at least, was willing to tolerate him) after their relationship at Manchester City appeared to have disintegrated. Pep Guardiola did the same with Yaya Toure and, in both cases, it ended with the players coming in from the cold to help City win a league championship. Tevez could even make light of the fact he had spent four months in exile because of the dispute that started with Mancini accusing him of refusing to come on, as a substitute, during a Champions League tie against Bayern Munich . The Argentinian disappeared to Buenos Aires for much of that time and was photographed on a golf course, leading to questions about whether he cared more about his golf handicap than playing for his club. So when he scored a hat-trick in one of his comeback matches, a 6-1 win at Norwich City, he made a point of celebrating with a golf-swing. Perhaps it is an unfair comparison in some respects given that Tevez’s dispute with City involved lawyers, some ugly public outbursts and open hostility rather than the same kind of issues that have led to Rashford’s removal from Amorim’s team — his attitude and lifestyle, in short, and the growing suspicion that a player with 60 England caps has badly blurred his priorities. The point here, however, is that it can be difficult to recall many occasions when something similar has happened with one of the Premier League’s A-listers and that player’s relationship with his manager has survived. Advertisement In theory it should not be too hard, you might assume, for a manager and player to talk it out and agree that, whatever their differences, they can still be good for one another. In practice, however, it seldom happens that way. So how does Rashford feel about United’s manager leaving him out of the squad for their games against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur , Bournemouth and Wolves ? Is he angry? Does he feel unfairly singled out? Or does he accept, deep down, that he has been pushing his luck for some time and, if he is really honest, that he has brought these problems upon himself? All that can really be said for certain is that Rashford seems keen to leave Old Trafford for another club and we know that because he, and his PR entourage, have made sure to get it out . Nor is it the first time he has given serious consideration to leaving in the past few years. United, in turn, would be open to selling him bearing in mind the growing evidence that Rashford, at 27, is no longer the player that everyone at Old Trafford expected, and wanted, him to be. But a transfer is never going to be straightforward because of the numbers involved and, unfortunately for Rashford, potential buyers could be excused for having a few misgivings when the player in question is earning in excess of £325,000 a week ($413,000) and has been out of form for longer than he would probably wish to remember. So the other option is that manager and player reach some sort of understanding and agree to put the past few weeks behind them. And that is clearly not straightforward either if you consider that, even when Jose Mourinho’s relationship with Paul Pogba was at its most strained, he never left him out of the entire squad for one match, never mind four in a row. Harry Maguire has shown it is possible to return to United’s starting XI after being frozen out, removed as captain and made available for transfer during Erik ten Hag’s time as manager. Advertisement That, however, was a different set of circumstances given that Maguire’s absence was based on football reasons rather than, as it is with Rashford, it being about what is happening off the pitch as well as on it. United fans may point out that Sir Alex Ferguson’s relationship with Wayne Rooney survived the player handing in a transfer request in 2010 and contemplating what would have been a treacherous cross-city switch to Manchester City. The better comparison, perhaps, is what happened in the last few weeks of Ferguson’s reign, late in the 2012-13 season, when Rooney was removed from the team because the manager did not like the way he was living his life. The two men could barely make eye contact as they lined up to shake hands after Ferguson’s farewell match at Old Trafford and the presentation of the Premier League trophy. The story at the time was that Ferguson had told his replacement, David Moyes, he had teed up Rooney’s departure as a leaving present. Chelsea wanted to sign the England striker. But Moyes had other ideas — as did Ed Woodward in his first summer as United’s chief executive — and sorted it out in a frank discussion with Rooney. “Do you still think you’re a top player?” Moyes asked. Rooney replied that, yes, of course he did. “So, if you are a top player, why are Chelsea offering only £25million for you?” Moyes wanted to know. Rooney knuckled down and was United’s best player for the first half of the following season. Perhaps Rashford could benefit from that kind of tete-a-tete and, if it has the same kind of impact, maybe it would help Amorim, too. Let’s not forget we are talking about a player who, with 138 goals, is 15th in United’s all-time list of scorers, ahead of Andy Cole, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Eric Cantona and various others who are considered to be United royalty. Go back through the years, however, and there is a clear pattern that the exile of a high-profile player is usually a manager signalling those at the top that it is time to cut them free. Advertisement Perhaps you recall Mikel Arteta doing something similar with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to set in motion his departure from Arsenal at a time when many fans considered him their best striker. Guardiola did the same with Joao Cancelo because of issues behind the scenes at City. Mancini gave up, in the end, on Mario Balotelli and, as happened with Rooney, sometimes it needs the manager to leave for a player to stay. Every Newcastle fan of a certain generation remembers Ruud Gullit’s infamous spell as manager and the mutiny that was caused by him dropping Alan Shearer, the local hero, for a derby defeat against Sunderland , early in the 1999-2000 season. The more relevant example, however, is Rob Lee, who was considered to be a Shearer ally, ostracised from Gullit’s team and made to train with the reserves. Lee, an England international, was not even given a squad number. But it was Gullit who lost the civil war and ended up resigning. Lee was brought back into the team by Bobby Robson and would later receive a testimonial season to mark his service to the club. And Rashford? The saddest thing, perhaps, is that there was a time when it was easy to imagine he, a former academy player who has been at the club since the age of seven, would be awarded a testimonial of his own one day. Maybe that can still be the case. It just doesn’t feel likely at the moment and, if he is left out again, we can probably conclude that Amorim is not willing to make exceptions just because of a player’s long association with the club. (Top photo: Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 13, 2024-- On December 10, 2024, Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II (the “Company”) received a letter from the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American” or the “Exchange”) stating that the staff of NYSE Regulation has determined to commence proceedings to delist the Company’s class A common stock, units, and redeemable warrants (collectively, the “Company Securities”), pursuant to Sections 119(b) and 119(f) of the NYSE American Company Guide because the Company failed to consummate a business combination within 36 months of the effectiveness of its initial public offering registration statement, or such shorter period that the Company specified in its registration statement. As a result of the determination, trading of the Company Securities on NYSE American has been suspended. As indicated in the letter from NYSE American, the Company has a right to a review of the delisting determination by the Listings Qualifications Panel of the Committee for Review of the Board of Directors of the Exchange, provided that the Company submits a written request for such review no later than December 17, 2024. The Company is working towards consummating its previously announced business combination with Ace Green Recycling, Inc. If the Company Securities are delisted from NYSE American, the Company intends to seek a listing of the Company Securities on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC in connection with the consummation of the Company’s proposed initial business combination. About Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE American: ATEK.U, ATEK, ATEK WS), incorporated in Delaware, is a special purpose acquisition company incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. ATEK is the third SPAC founded by Isabelle Freidheim, who also serves as its Chief Executive Officer, with Kirthiga Reddy as President and Jennifer Calabrese as Chief Financial Officer. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this press release are not historical facts but may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the “safe harbor” provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” “intend,” or continue or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology or expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s ability to consummate its previously announced business combination and to list the Company Securities on Nasdaq in connection with the consummation of the proposed business combination. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on, by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general economic, political and business conditions; the number of redemption requests made by the Company’s stockholders in connection with a potential business combination; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; the risk that the approval of the Company’s stockholders for a potential transaction is not obtained; expectations related to the timing of a potential business combination; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of a business combination; the risk that a business combination may not be completed by the Company’s business combination deadline; costs related to a business combination; and other risks that will be detailed from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on September 27, 2024 and in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. There may be additional risks that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements provide the Company’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. And while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Nothing herein should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that the results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213050198/en/ CONTACT: Bevel PR Athena@bevelpr.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/13/2024 03:56 PM/DISC: 12/13/2024 03:57 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213050198/en

Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened weekThousands of wild birds have died recently in the Treasure Valley because of avian flu, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game announced Wednesday . The sick and dead birds, namely geese, have been reported in the Lake Lowell, Parma, and Fort Boise areas, the department said, adding that Fish and Game staff are actively working to pick up carcasses of birds in areas with the largest number of dead waterfowl. Avian influenza is carried primarily by waterfowl (geese and ducks) along their migratory paths from their summer habitat to their wintering grounds, Fish and Game said, noting that mortality events like the one occurring in Idaho are often widespread. “Groups of dead light geese — which include blue, snow, Ross’s geese — have been discovered as far east as Indiana and Tennessee and as far south as Louisiana and Texas,” Fish and Game Migratory Game Bird Coordinator Jeff Knetter said. “While unfortunate, several thousand light geese dying in a mortality event does not present population level concerns; the number of birds impacted is a very small proportion of the overall population which exceeds a million birds.” The disease must run its course, as there is no treatment or vaccine for avian influenza, Fish and Game said, adding that department personnel are not able to respond to every report of infected birds. However, the public is asked to report sick or dead wild bird observations on Fish and Game’s website, idfg.idaho.gov , to assist avian influenza surveillance efforts. Additionally, live birds showing signs of illness should be left alone, as moving sick birds may further spread the disease, Fish and Game said. The department also said that local wildlife rehabilitation centers are not currently accepting wild birds. Dead birds can be disposed of in the trash to ensure other animals do not contact or consume them, Fish and Game said, adding that the best practice when handling the birds is to use gloves and a mask, and place them in a double-bagged trash bag. People should also make sure to wash their hands after handling birds. Fish and Game noted that domestic birds and poultry are very susceptible to dying once exposed to avian influenza, which is transmitted between birds through close contact (mucous), fecal matter, and sometimes through the air. It is also carried on objects such as tools, vehicles, clothes, and boots, which can transfer the virus from one location to another. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is the agency to contact if concerns arise regarding commercial or backyard poultry. Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but sporadic human infections do occur. Symptoms may include conjunctivitis, fever, lethargy, aches, coughing, or diarrhea.

Shares of three companies namely- Senores Pharmaceuticals, Ventive Hospitality and Carraro India- made their Dalal Street debut today, delivering mixed performance to investors. All these three issues were open for bidding on Friday, December 20 and Tuesday, December 24, cumulatively raising more than Rs 3,432 crore. Here's how listing fared for these three companies: Shares of Senores Pharmaceuticals delivered a healthy listing pop on its stock market debut as the pharmaceuticals player was listed at Rs 600 on NSE, a premium of 53.45 per cent over its issue price of Rs 391. The Ahmedabad-based drugmaker kicked off its maiden trading session with a premium of 51.84 per cent over the given issue at Rs 593.70 BSE. Senores Pharmaceuticals sold its shares in the price band of Rs 372-391 apiece. Investors could apply for a minimum of 38 shares and its multiples thereafter. It raised a total of Rs 582.11 crore, which included a fresh share sale of Rs 500 crore and offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 21,00,000 equity shares. The issue was overall subscribed a whopping 93.41 times, thanks to all round-bidding. Shares of Ventive Hospitality delivered a decent listing pop on its stock market debut as the hospitality player was listed at Rs 718.15 on BSE, a premium of 11.69 per cent over its issue price of Rs 643. The hospitality chain kicked off its maiden trading session with a premium of 11.35 per cent over the given issue at Rs 716 BSE. Pune-based Ventive Hospitality sold its shares in the price band of Rs 610-643 apiece. Investors could apply for a minimum of 23 shares and its multiples. The company raised a total of Rs 1,600 crore via IPO, which was entirely a fresh share sale of 2,48,83,358 equity shares. The issue was overall subscribed a decent 9.80 times. Shares of Carraro India disappointed on its stock market debut as the commercial automobile and auto component was listed at Rs 651 on NSE, a discount of 7.53 per cent over its issue price of Rs 704. The hospitality chain kicked off its maiden trading session with a premium of 6.25 per cent over the given issue at Rs 660 BSE. Pune-based Carraro India offered its shares in the price band of Rs 668-704 apiece, for which investors could apply for a minimum of 21 shares and its multiples. It raised a total of Rs 1,250 crore via IPO route, which was entirely an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 1,77,55,680 equity shares. The issue was overall subscribed only1.12 times.

Key Features of MCCB Circuit BreakersAustralia have a fresh injury concern ahead of the Ashes with Sophie Molineux ruled out of the women's ODI tour of New Zealand with a knee injury. Already sweating on the fitness of captain Alyssa Healy and her sore knee, Australia suffered more bad news on Saturday in the form of Molineux's injury. The finger-spinner has battled knee issues this summer, missing some WBBL games with the Melbourne Renegades to manage pain in the joint. She played in the last two of Australia's 3-0 series sweep over India, but pulled up sore following the last victory in Perth on Wednesday. It means she will now skip all three ODIs against New Zealand this month, with bowling-allrounder Heather Graham to take her spot four weeks out from the Ashes. The games double as the team's last before next month's multi-format Ashes series, where Australia will aim to retain the trophy for a fifth straight time. "Sophie Molineux has been withdrawn from the NZ Series due to knee soreness," Cricket Australia said in a statement. "Heather Graham will join the squad in New Zealand on Tuesday, following Tasmania's Women's National Cricket League matches against New South Wales in Hobart." Georgia Wareham would be the most likely player to come into Australia's XI for the first ODI against New Zealand on Thursday, after she was left out of the final two games against India. In better news for Australia, Healy is at least a confirmed attendee on the New Zealand trip. Australia's captain missed the three ODIs against India through her own knee injury, after also missing the end of the T20 World Cup with a foot issue. Healy's return will create a potential headache for selectors given Georgia Voll's impressive start to her international career against India. Voll made scores of 46no, 101 and 26 while deputising for Healy at the top of the order, after a breakthrough WBBL with the Sydney Thunder. The Queenslander is at risk of being squeezed out of Australia's 50-over side in New Zealand, with Healy expected to slot back into opening alongside Phoebe Litchfield. It means the only way Voll would remain in the first-choice XI is if selectors opt to bat her down the order and make the bold call of leaving out a more established player.

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