News Corp report the NRL received a letter from McKinnon instigating legal proceedings for compensation.

The tackler, Melbourne Storm's Jordan McLean, is being pursued personally.

McLean copped a seven-game suspension for the dangerous throw.

McKinnon is currently employed by the NRL-owned Knights in a player-recruitment role. 

NRL chief Todd Greenberg was made aware of McKinnon’s intention to sue six weeks ago in a meeting and he reportedly told McKinnon to "do what you have to do".

To sue the governing body of a sport is unprecedented, however, individual players have had legal action launched against them in the past.

The Melbourne Storm have also been made aware McKinnon’s intentions.