AFL players sign off on $1.84 billion six-year pay deal
AFTER months of back and forward, the AFL players have finally signed off on a new six-year deal that is set to net them a huge pay increase. SEE THE DEAL
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Players’ union chief executive Paul Marsh signed off on the 2017-22 salaries agreement at around 2pm this afternoon after a vote of players from all 18 clubs.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE WAGE BREAKDOWN
The deal will see the average player wage climb to $371,000 and the salary cap from $10.37 million to $12.45 million, plus marketing allowances of more than $1 million a club.
The monster payday equates to 28 per cent of total AFL industry revenues but could be even greater if club and league revenues rise above forecast projections.
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The payrise is effective immediately, meaning a player earning around $850,000 will now earn in excess of $1 million a season.
The AFL announced the deal ahead of Tuesday night’s Hall of Fame function in Adelaide.
AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder described the deal as a “genuine win-win agreement.”
“Our players play the toughest, fastest and most spectacular game in the world, and this agreement rewards their role,” he said.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan agreed, declaring that “players deserve to be paid well.”
AFLPA President Matthew Pavlich said it was a landmark day for the playing fraternity.
“For the first time, players are now genuine partners of the game,” Pavlich said.
“And, for the first time, players’ wages will be tied to AFL revenue.”
“This CBA will leave a legacy that the current players should be proud of.”
An overwhelming 99.2 per cent of players approved of the AFL’s increased offer amid threats of industrial action.
Players, led by AFLPA board members Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane, Scott Pendlebury, Leigh Montagna and Easton Wood, had refused to budge on a push for a cut of unforecast cash.
The deal will guarantee players 11.2 per cent of all unbudgeted club revenues and a fixed 28 per cent slice of all unbudgeted AFL moneys.
AFL revenues alone since 2009 have come in more than $246 million above budget.
The six-year pay bonanza includes a wage increase of 20 per cent this year, 1.2 per cent in 2018, 1.3 per cent in 2019 and rises of 2 per cent in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Additional AFL funding for retirement, hardship, welfare and player development schemes is also included.
A majority of AFL players have a provision in their contract that automatically entitles them to this year’s 20 per cent pay rise.
Players failed in their push for a share of fixed percentages during the last salaries stand-off with former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou five years ago.
MONEY BALL
How the six-year AFL player pay deal works:
— Heavily front-ended six-year increase — 20 per cent in 2017, followed by 1.2 per cent in 2018, 1.3 per cent in 2019 and rises of 2 per cent in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
— Average wage (not including rookies) rises from $309,000 to $371,000 this season, hitting $403,00 by 2022
— Club salary cap jumps from $10.37m to $12.4m this year and hits $13.54m by 2022
— Players guaranteed 28 per cent of unbudgeted AFL revenues and 11.2 per cent of unforecast club revenues (to be paid into retirement funds)
— Gradual increase in $1.022m club promotional and marketing allowances (Additional Service Agreements)
— Improved travel and accommodation conditions
— Veteran’s allowance scrapped
— Bolstered welfare, player development, hardship and injury schemes
Total Player Payments/Average wage
2016: $10.37m, $309,000
2017: $12.45m, $371,000
2018: $12.6m, $375,000
2019: $12.76m, $380,000
2020: $13.02m, $388,000
2021: $13.28m, $396,000
2022: $13.54m, $403,000
Note: Wages exclude rookie players
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