AFL pay talks have progressed significantly in recent weeks with a deal imminent
A BREAKTHROUGH is close in footy’s bitter pay stoush as talks between AFL chiefs and the AFLPA have progressed significantly in recent weeks.
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A BREAKTHROUGH deal is close in footy’s bitter pay stoush.
Talks between AFL chiefs and the AFL Players’ Association have progressed significantly in recent weeks.
Central to the discussions is a “mechanism” that will guarantee AFL players a cut of any unbudgeted industry revenues across the next six seasons.
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Both parties would seek to claim victory in the salaries standoff under the compromise agreement.
Players could argue they secured a set percentage of some revenues, while the AFL could claim to have stood its ground in nominating a set amount it is prepared to pay the game’s 817 combatants.
The average AFL wage was $300,000 last year and an anticipated minimum 10 per cent increase would take that to $330,000.
A new pay deal is unlikely to be struck before the start of the pre-season competition next week, but the likelihood of an unprecedented player strike is now considered remote.
Asked about the prospect of a player strike, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan told the Herald Sun: “I have not thought about it ... because I’m focused on getting a fair deal for the players — I’m confident we will.
“What I would say is the players having a mechanism where they share in the upside of the game is a principle we absolutely agree with.
“It’s the detail of the mechanism we’re talking about and we are working on that at the moment.
“Part of the issue is determining what of the game’s revenue should be available to the players and the consequences, if there was a fixed return to the players, if revenue fell.
“I’m confident we’ll get there because we’re committed to getting a deal done, a fair deal.”
Players across the 18 clubs took home more than $205 million last season — a team salary cap of $10.37 million plus marketing allowances of $1.022m. Clubs are preparing for a rise of 10-20 per cent.
Under the new model being negotiated, set player salaries would increase beyond the new salary cap if industry revenues rise above those forecast by the AFL.
Revenue forecasts by the AFL in past pay deals have proved to be conservative — a major irritant to the AFLPA.
The AFL had refused to meet with the player union for two months late last year but returned to the negotiating table four weeks ago.
Stars including Patrick Dangerfield, Scott Pendlebury and Jack Riewoldt insist that industrial action will be taken by players if a fairer revenue sharing model is not agreed by the league.
McLachlan is yet to enter the negotiations with AFLPA boss Paul Marsh but clubs are now hopeful a resolution will be reached before the Carlton-Richmond season-opener on March 23.
The AFL negotiation team is headed by league executives Ray Gunston and Andrew Dillon.
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