AFL players make breakthrough pay deal for 2021

Key AFL stakeholders have agreed to a pay deal, reduced salary cap and list sizes for 2021. See the details.

Dustin Martin signed a seven-year $8.4 milion deal in 2017. Picture: Sarah Reed

Player wages will be cut by as little as 3.5 per cent next season under a breakthrough pay deal.

League bosses and the AFL Players’ Association reached an in principle agreement on Tuesday that will see the salary cap for all 18 clubs — including additional services agreements — fall from $14.5 million to $13.17 million.

The deal equates to a 9 per cent cut in the salary cap, but because of reduced list sizes and the ability to defer some payments into 2022 and beyond, wages for players contracted before April this year will only fall by 3.5 per cent.

The deferment scheme and list cuts will also allow enough salary cap space for clubs to sign new deals with uncontracted players.

And in another win for players, an upside clause has also been agreed to that will see players receive a 28 per cent slice of all revenues above forecast in 2021.

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Dustin Martin signed a seven-year $8.4 milion deal in 2017. Picture: Sarah Reed

It means if the game recovers faster than expected from the COVID financial crisis, players will pocket even bigger salaries.

Club captains, AFLPA delegates and player agents were briefed on the proposed new deal on Wednesday morning.

A vote of all players on the one-year arrangement will be held later this week.

The salary cap is expected to return to normal in 2022.

Wages for players to be drafted next month will also fall slightly, while clubs will be permitted to make just one national draft selection if they choose.

Total funding to players including AFLPA operating grants, the retirement fund and ambassador payments will reduce by 10 per cent in 2021.

All clubs will be required to have a minimum of 37 players on their list next year, down from 38.

The maximum list size has fallen from 47 to 44.

Clubs must have 36 primary listed players and at least one rookie or Category B player.

Up to six rookies and two Category B rookies can be listed.

More than 75 per cent of players must approve the revised pay deal before it is signed off.

Players across the competition agreed to pay cuts averaging out at 29 per cent this year because of the COVID crisis.

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