Antoine Dupont, a rugby superstar, is on the cusp of signing a massive deal, but there's a surprising twist that's got everyone talking!
Toulouse is working to lock in Antoine Dupont with a long-term, 'mega' contract, but it comes with an interesting clause. Currently sidelined due to an injury sustained during the Six Nations, Dupont is expected back in action around mid-November. Toulouse, however, has already begun discussions about his future, aiming to extend his contract beyond its current expiration date in 2027.
According to reports, Stade Toulousain wants to extend Dupont's contract until 2031 or 2032. This would mean he'd be playing for the club, which he joined in 2017, past his 35th birthday! But here's where it gets intriguing: the contract is expected to include a clause allowing Dupont to either play abroad or pursue 'another challenge'. This means the 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year could potentially join another club for a season, or perhaps take on a similar challenge to his 2024 endeavor, when he helped the French sevens team win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
Earlier this year, Dupont and his company, Ouest Coast, invested in the USA Major League Rugby team, the Rugby Football Club Los Angeles (RFCLA). Could he use this clause to represent the club he's invested in? That would be a bold move, making him the first top-tier player to join the competition in his prime.
He could also aim for another gold medal with the French sevens team at the 2028 Olympics in LA. However, it's unlikely he'd be able to join the R360 rebel league, as France has warned players against signing with the competition. Regardless, the opportunity to secure one of the world's best players will surely catch the attention of clubs worldwide.
But that's not all!
Dupont has also voiced his concerns about the salary cap in French rugby. The current cap is set at €10.7 million per Top 14 club for the 2025/26 season. He argues that the cap calculations include individual commercial partnerships, which he believes is unfair.
"The salary cap rules... prevent us from using our individual image through traditional advertising contracts," Dupont stated. His comments come amid discussions about potentially lowering the salary cap after an initial reduction during Covid-19. The salary cap includes any use of a player’s image, for example, in an advertising contract with a company that is already a partner of their club.
The League argues this is to prevent circumvention of the salary cap. Dupont counters that the situation has changed, as clubs now have fewer sponsorship deals. "Today, it's becoming a problem for most of the players in the French team… because we already know we’re restricted by this salary cap," he said.
He believes players are not benefiting from the sport's growth and cannot fully utilize their image rights. "It’s starting to be too much," he added. He feels the league is becoming too intrusive, demanding details about all commercial partners. "They want to know everything about our assets, so it’s turning into a bit of a witch hunt where they want to expose the cheaters but it’s becoming ridiculous."
What do you think? Do you agree with Dupont's stance on the salary cap? Could this clause be a game-changer for his career? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
