In a move that’s sent shockwaves through the NRL and entertainment world alike, Brisbane Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo has inked an unprecedented $5 million contract extension—with a surprising twist: it includes a feature film deal with Warner Bros Australia.
Sources inside Red Hill confirmed the Broncos locked in the 22-year-old Origin winger on a five-year deal, making him the highest-paid Indigenous player in rugby league history. But the real curveball? As part of the agreement, Cobbo will star in a coming-of-age sports drama titled “Running on Maroon”, loosely based on his rise from Cherbourg to the NRL.
> “This is more than footy. It’s legacy, it’s storytelling,” Cobbo said at the announcement. “I want to show kids from the bush they can do anything.”
The film, directed by acclaimed Indigenous filmmaker Warwick Thornton, begins filming in early 2026 and is expected to hit cinemas the following year. Cobbo will play himself in the movie, blending sport and cinema in a never-before-seen contract innovation.
NRL’s First Dual Athlete-Actor?
Cobbo’s dual-career path mirrors stars like LeBron James and Michael Jordan—both of whom expanded their legacy beyond sport. Rugby league legend Darren Lockyer called it “the most visionary contract in NRL history.”
> “Selwyn just raised the ceiling for what a rugby league star can be,” Lockyer told Channel 9.
Broncos Bounce Back?
After a shaky season start and media scrutiny around internal salary cap tensions, the Cobbo deal is seen as a major win for Broncos management, with CEO Dave Donaghy declaring:
>“We’re not just building a team. We’re building an empire.
