Tigers star Taylan May’s premiership ring has been put up for sale on eBay.
May’s manager Ahmad Merhi has told Code Sports the former Penrith speedster’s ring is missing.
The premiership ring awarded to May following the 2021 NRL Grand Final has been spotted on the cyber marketplace site at the price of $10,000 or nearest offer.
According to Code, Merhi has begun making inquiries to get to the bottom of the situation.
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The ring is from the Panthers’ 2021 NRL Grand Final win over the Rabbitohs.
May received a premiership ring, despite not featuring in the grand final.
The Tigers winger was part of the squad of Penrith players that relocated to Queensland as part of the biosecurity measures taken by the NRL to ensure the 2021 season continued during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Because of the sacrifices made by players to leave their families and enter the so-called “bubble” in South East Queensland, Penrith and South Sydney both announced their intention to have more than a dozen additional premiership rings crafted if they won the premiership decider.
Premiership rings are traditionally limited to the 17 players that feature in the Grand Final and the coach.
However, May received a ring, despite playing just one game for the entire 2021 season.
He made his NRL debut in Round 21 that season and had to wait until 2022 before he played his second NRL game.
Merhi said May wants to get the ring back.
“He’s never known where it’s gone. It’s not an item that he would sell,” he said.
“We’re going to do some investigating to work out how it has ended up where it has ended up.”
There are no suggestions that there is anything illegal about the sale on eBay.
The eBay listing is very similar to the description of premiership rings previously promoted by the NRL.
The ad reads: “While the spotlight shone brightest on the grand final heroes, those in the extended squad trained day in and day out with the team – pushing, challenging and lifting the playing group every step of the way.
“These are the unsung contributors whose behind-the-scenes efforts were crucial to the club’s ultimate success.
“This ring was issued directly to a squad member – not a replica, not a copy.
“Player-authenticated and identical in design and craftsmanship to those given to the on-field grand final 17.
“It’s a symbol of sacrifice, perseverance and Panther pride.”
The 2021 premiership rings were designed to honour police and New South Wales’ Police Commissioner Mick Fuller was involved in the ring design process.
Produced by jeweller Affinity Diamonds, the rings contain two-carats worth of diamonds and blue sapphires, worth up to $10,000 per unit.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Fuller in 2021 explained the depth of his flashy design.
“The design was done in a way that the top of the ring with blue sapphires and white diamonds looks like a chequered band, which truly reflects not just the national nature of the game NRL but of course policing right across Australia,” he said.
May was shown the door by Penrith in 2024 as a result of off-field scandals.
The 23-year-old had pleaded not guilty to domestic violence-related charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of stalking and intimidation over alleged incidents in 2023.
Those charges were in March dropped after the wife he was accused of punching did not show up to court.
He soon signed with the Wests Tigers and made his debut with the club in July.