Here’s the full picture regarding David Fifita’s contract saga:
In May 2024, Fifita declined to activate a \$1 million‑per‑season extension with the Gold Coast Titans, informing them he’d be leaving at the end of the season ([abc.net.au][1]). Almost immediately, he accepted a four‑year, roughly \$3.3 million deal with the Sydney Roosters ([abc.net.au][1]).
However, just days later—on about May 15, 2024—Fifita backflipped, opting to stay at the Titans through 2026, effectively retracting the Roosters agreement ([reddit.com][2]). His change of heart reportedly frustrated Sydney’s leadership ([reddit.com][3]).
Key contract points:
* **May 9, 2024**: Declines Titans extension and agrees to Roosters deal (\~\$3.3 M over 4 years) ([abc.net.au][1], [reddit.com][3]).
* **By May 15, 2024**: Decides to stay at Gold Coast until end of 2026 ([en.wikipedia.org][4]).
* The Titans’ original extension would have paid him nearly \$1 M annually, while the Roosters and Panthers had made competing offers (Sydney at about \$825 K/year over four years, Panthers around \$850 K/year over three) ([reddit.com][5]).
So although Fifita briefly signed on with the Roosters, he reversed course within the NRL’s cooling-off window to re-commit to the Titans on a three-year deal concluding in 2026.
