The Leeds Rhinos are pushing ahead with legal action over Iestyn Harris’ move to the Bradford Bulls in 2004.
Harris was contracted to the Leeds Rhinos when he decided to switch to rugby union. When Harris decided to switch back to Rugby League again, Leeds felt they had a contract in place with him that meant of he did return it would have to be with the Rhinos.
Of course, Harris ended up returning to play for the Bradford Bulls, and Leeds are not happy about it at all claiming they lost revenue from potential merchandise and ticketing sales because they missed out on Harris.
So much fuss for a player that does so little!
The Bulls have said that should they lose the case it could see them go bankrupt, a bit over the top if you ask me.
Still you have to wonder how it all got this far in the first place.
If Harris did have a contract with the Leeds Rhinos, then the RFL shouldn’t have given Bradford the green light to sign him in 2004.
Its a real mess that Harris, Bradford and the RFL could have all prevented by sorting out where they all stood 4 years ago.
Leeds have every right to be pretty ticked off, however the £3.2m in damages they are claiming are massive. You’d think that Leeds would be better off trying to come to an out of court settlement with Bradford that could include both money and maybe a few future prospects rather than trying to financially cripple a fellow Super League club.
