Jye Gray has turned down one of the richest offers of his young career, rejecting a $920,000-a-season deal from rebel competition R360 to stay loyal to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The 21-year-old fullback was among the first players targeted by the breakaway league, which is attempting to lure NRL stars with massive tax-free contracts and long-term security.
But according to The Sydney Morning Herald, Gray has informed Rabbitohs officials he intends to remain at Redfern, despite the R360 deal representing a $700,000-per-year pay rise.
A recently announced 10-year ban for any player who defects to R360 reportedly played a major role in the decision.
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‘Loyalty isn’t dead’: Gray stays true to Souths
Gray’s breakout 2025 campaign made him one of the hottest properties in rugby league.
The electric fullback led the Dally M Medal count earlier in the season while filling in for Latrell Mitchell and helped inspire a late surge in form for the Rabbitohs.
With Mitchell expected to return to the centres under Wayne Bennett next year, Gray’s future in the No.1 jersey looks assured - and his loyalty to the club has only strengthened his standing among fans.
Sources close to the situation told the SMH that while Gray has not yet signed his new deal, an extension is expected to be finalised within weeks.
R360 suffers major setback ahead of launch
The Queensland-born speedster’s decision is a blow to R360’s recruitment drive, which has been aggressively chasing NRL and rugby union talent ahead of its official launch.
Ryan Papenhuyzen and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have also been linked to the competition, while reports suggest R360 is pressuring agents to secure commitments before November 1.
The new league hopes to unveil between five and ten marquee signings next month.
For now, however, one of their top targets has chosen loyalty over money - and Rabbitohs fans couldn’t be happier.