Just when the Wayne Bennett-Brisbane Broncos spat appeared to have died down, the NRL coach has reportedly called in the lawyers as he pursues a six-figure payment.
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The new South Sydney coach has sent the Broncos a legal letter after his sacking to demand a $400,000 sum while reserving the right to pursue court proceedings, The Courier Mail reports.
Bennett's legal team sent the letter on December 14 and gave the Broncos until Thursday, December 20, to reply.
That deadline has passed and the club has requested an extra month to reply, with Broncos CEO Paul White refusing to disclose on what grounds Bennett is seeking remuneration.
The report claims South Sydney would be forced to chip in 50 per cent of any payment under a deal struck with the Broncos for his 2019 salary, effectively meaning Bennett is suing his new club.
Bennett was shown the door in early December to complete his on-again, off-again 2019 coaching swap with Anthony Seibold.
He initially had no intention of suing Brisbane over his early contract termination but has since been handed $385,000 for his image rights, according to the report.
The Broncos fired Bennett after Seibold claimed the seven-time premiership-winning coach telephoned Damien Cook, Alex Johnston and Sam Burgess to organise a pre-season training camp.
Bennett, who has now committed to the Rabbitohs for the next three seasons, admitted to contacting the trio but denied discussing plans for next season.
"Yeah I did on the request of Shane Richardson (Souths' general manager of football) because they were guys that were under contract," Bennett said on December 4.
"They wanted to keep them here and I was going to be the long-term coach here from 2020. I talked to them about contracts."
Australian Associated Press
