🚫 In a surprising development for Brisbane Broncos fans, superstar fullback and reigning premiership winner Reece Walsh will be conspicuously absent from the club’s official 2026 calendar. The omission of one of the NRL’s biggest drawcards is not due to any personal decision by the player, but rather an unprecedented ban imposed by his management team on the use of his image for the annual piece of club merchandise.
💰 Dispute Over Merchandise Royalties
According to reports from News Corp, the bizarre absence stems from a dispute over intellectual property rights and royalties associated with the calendar’s sales. Members of the Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA), acting on behalf of Walsh’s team, reportedly instructed the NRL that the 23-year-old footy star should not be photographed or used in the official club product.
It is understood that Walsh’s management was keen to block his involvement upon recognizing that the star’s image—a valuable piece of his intellectual property—would be utilized as part of official NRL-licensed merchandise. This move underscores the growing focus on athletes maximizing their earning potential through image rights and controlling their brand outside of core playing contracts.
📈 Walsh’s Astronomical Rise in Value
Walsh’s current market value has surged dramatically following an exceptional year. The fullback recently led the Broncos to Grand Final glory and later played a starring role for the Kangaroos in their dominant 3-0 series victory over England in the Rugby League Ashes.
His increased profile and unique public persona—including the widely publicized “toilet water-drinking” story—have made him a marketing powerhouse. The star’s commercial potential is vast; publicist Max Markson recently backed Walsh to earn over $40 million through his NRL career and lucrative sponsorship deals, underscoring why his management is keen to control his intellectual property use.
💔 Fan Disappointment and Club Stance
The 2026 calendar, which is expected to cost around $20, features other marquee Broncos including Ben Hunt, Kotoni Staggs, Adam Reynolds, and Patrick Carrigan. The absence of Walsh, who occupied a prime position behind skipper Adam Reynolds in the 2025 calendar, is set to disappoint many fans eager to support the reigning premiership hero.
News Corp adds that the Brisbane Broncos club itself was reportedly content for Walsh to feature on the calendar. As of now, it remains unclear whether the footballer himself was directly aware of the matter or the specifics of the ban orchestrated by his representatives. The incident serves as a unique case study in the growing friction between player rights, centralized league licensing, and club-level marketing in the modern NRL era.