AFL could introduce tiered pay structure for assistant coaches to reduce costs at clubs
The coronavirus outbreak has wreaked financial havoc on the AFL and clubs. Is this is how the league can slash football department costs by as much as $3 million?
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The AFL is considering a range of initiatives to cut clubs’ soft cap by as much as $3 million in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Amid the options is to introduce an award pay structure for assistant coaches which stipulates how much coaches earn depending on their experience.
The top assistant coaches can earn upwards of $250,000 a year at clubs, but a tiered-structure would effectively tie coaches’ pay to their years of experience in the game.
It could mean development coaches and less-experienced coaches would be paid lesser amounts, such as $100,000 a year, if they were fresh out of playing the game.
But bonuses could be weaved in for finals appearances and premierships, to bolster their income based on team performance.
The coaches are currently not part of a union, however, and do not have a collective bargaining agreement which determines their pay.
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Instead, they are represented by the AFL Coaches Association and can negotiate their own salary with clubs.
The AFL is keen to reduce costs for clubs and, along with a reduced cap, could even put a limit on the number of individual personnel permitted to be part of the football department.
In V8 Supercars, teams are allowed only seven support crew per car, for parity and to help curb costs including travel and accommodation.
Over the past fortnight, clubs have been forced to stand down approximately 80 per cent of their staff throughout the industry-wide shutdown.
Chief executives including Hawthorn boss Justin Reeves this week urged any companies looking for employees to consider Hawks staff who have been stood down.
“These amazing people are available if you need them,” Reeves said.
Coaches this week began looking for work in different trades and industries.
North Melbourne development coach Leigh Adams, whose career ended because of concussion, this week said he was looking for work as a plumber.
“I am a registered plumber and happy to jump back on the tools,” Adams said.
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