Members of the Queensland and NSW teams will receive $20,000 for each game they play in this year's series - a drop in the ocean compared to the money the three games generate for the code.
That could change dramatically from next season. The Rugby League Players Association believes the game needs to investigate whether Origin revenue should be separated from other money flowing into rugby league.
While that would have been difficult in the past, it will become easier to measure from next season when officials receive a clearer picture of what Origin is worth to broadcasters.
As part of the negotiations for the next broadcasting deal, bidders have been asked to put in separate offers for the Origin series. Conservative estimates suggest Origin could attract more than $10 million a season.
Combined with the other revenues from the spectacle - sponsorship of the jerseys alone is believed to be worth $2m to each side while the contest attracts close to 200,000 spectators on an annual basis - the total revenue could easily exceed $20m.
As it stands, the players receive only a minor percentage of that - close to 10 per cent. Should that percentage be pushed closer to 25 per cent, the players can expect to earn upwards of $50,000 a match, $150,000 for the series.
RLPA boss David Garnsey stressed his organisation wanted to cater for the game's low earners as part of its next collective bargaining agreement by improving the minimum wage, retirement account contributions and insurance.
"At this stage that is as important, if not more important than anything else," Garnsey said.
However, he said separating Origin revenue should also be looked at. "In terms of representative payments, you start with the proposition that State of Origin is an extraordinarily popular sporting event, perhaps the most popular in the country," he said.
"It only seems to be coming more so given the recent discussion about Melbourne's enduring interest and even the US. People around the world want to watch it, players who can play it want to play it.
"For that reason, the best Australian players are involved in it. It's an elite sporting event. Because you constantly need to look at these things, I suppose the traditional idea of choosing not to reward those who play it specifically from proceeds of the event itself, needs to be revisited.
"If they're the ones providing the entertainment, they are attracting the sponsors, driving the television ratings and generally being ambassadors for that particular event. Then there's a strong argument they should be paid on the basis of what the event draws."
The move could have repercussions for other areas of the game, particularly international football. As Origin is restricted to players who represent Australia, it could prompt more players to opt for Australia over New Zealand.
The answer to that problem could lie in part in plans to have New Zealand host its own Origin game from next season. Player Agents Association boss, Mike Newton, who has been working closely with Garnsey, last night gave his support to the proposal.
"Representative payments today are well short of what they should be," Newton said.
"It's certainly worth investigating. The elite players deserve to be rewarded for the part they play in producing the game's showpiece event. It's something that I have discussed with David Garnsey and it will certainly make up an important part of the CBA negotiations."Asked whether he believed Origin players were paid enough, Garnsey said: "In terms of what it is and the enormity of it, I think there is certainly some scope for improvement there."
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