The Ballad of Sonny Bill Williams

 While sports fans in Australia and New Zealand continue to follow the Summer Olympics like the rest of the world, the two countries have also been engulfed in the ongoing contract dispute between rugby star Sonny Bill Williams and Australia's National Rugby League. Last month, the New Zealand-born player abandoned his five-year contract with the NRL's Canterbury Bulldogs in mid-season to sign a lucrative one-year deal with French club RC Toulonnais.

Williams faced criticism from the media, teammates, and fans, who accused him of deserting his team and failing to live up to a a signed contract. Williams countered with accusations of racism, stating that he was treated poorly by team management because of his friendship with Australian boxer Anthony Mundine and agent Khoder Nasser, who are both practicing Muslims.

The case even made it to Supreme Court of New South Wales, as Bulldogs and NRL management won an injunction to prevent Williams from moving to France. The legal move sidelined Williams for 10 days and the young star could have faced a seizure of his assets or even arrest if he returned to Australia.

After weeks of recrimination, the legal wrangling appears to be over as  Williams has agreed to pay the Bulldogs AUD $750,000 in compensation, freeing him up to play for his French club.

 The fact that Williams has been allowed out of his contract can be seen as a dangerous precedent. Many in the sports industry, including sports agent Warren Alcock, believe that Williams' case is more the exception than the rule.