- May 15, 2014
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OuchHave no issue whatsoever with the players earning plenty, and yes they deserve more.
The people whinging about it would have even less of a life if they couldn't talk about football online.
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OuchHave no issue whatsoever with the players earning plenty, and yes they deserve more.
The people whinging about it would have even less of a life if they couldn't talk about football online.
I personally have an objection to mediocre AFL players being paid on anywhere near a comparable scale to our talented surgeons ($350000 per year average) who keep you and I ticking along.
I understand the argument is moot as commercial pressure dictates that Football players and sportspeople can demand this money.
It just irks me.
So my answer is a philosophical NO
Like I said. I know how it works. I just don't like it.But that's not how it works. The only relevant comparison is how much the league makes. What a surgeon makes is irrelevant.
They have a skill that is valuable. They deserve a large chunk of any proceeds because it's their money. While the league makes near 20m profits, they deserve more.
Why does Gil deserve 4 million a year? In business terms he's a fair to average CEO, behind CEOs of other large organisations. At least the players are the best at their craft.
Its all about sustainability. If you are " just" an afl player then you contribute nothing to the financial aspects of the game. Merely being on an afl list doesnt entitle you to great rewards. Base rates should stay at current levels. But once you show that you have the courage and talent and determination to be a regular player, then your pay goes up...and it does. Once you become a true star of the game, you become a draw card. You actually contribute to memberships and attendance and viewing on tv. All of which adds to the viability and sustainability of the game. Just like a great actor , the actors that bring in the oeople into the cinemas and make a movie viable. They are paid enormous sums because they make a difference. Just because you are an actor does not entitle you to millions of dollars per movie. You have to be a draw card. If you cant see this, then you dont understand how business works.
The afl reinvests its profits into making the game more sustainable. It does this by trying to increase the games visability and attractiveness in many varied ways. It cant all go to the players, this would reduce the afls ability to support and promote the game. Without these activities rugby , soccer and other sports would take over.
Already the game is changing. The numbers of really highly paid players are reducing and in their place are the more evenly spread payments. Look at hawthorn and geelong to see how to manage player payment and still keep a premiership list together.
Great post.Mate, the game relies on teams trotting out 25 blokes every week. It's not just the draw cards. Without them, the game is nothing. People can say they would kill for the opportunity bur I can assure you that I am not parting with a single cent to watch any of you play footy.
People need to stop discussing this in terms of "they earn enough already, don't be greedy". Whether they earn alot is irrelevant, it's about whether they take away enough of the pie of which they are the essential ingredient.
Mate, the game relies on teams trotting out 25 blokes every week. It's not just the draw cards. Without them, the game is nothing. People can say they would kill for the opportunity bur I can assure you that I am not parting with a single cent to watch any of you play footy.
People need to stop discussing this in terms of "they earn enough already, don't be greedy". Whether they earn alot is irrelevant, it's about whether they take away enough of the pie of which they are the essential ingredient.
This part I don't get at all.If the question was 'do the players earn ENOUGH money?', then my answer would be yes. But enough compared to what? Compared to professional athletes from other codes around the world? Probably not. Enough compared to the average Joe? Absolutely. Enough considering their limited time in the game and limited opportunities outside of the game post career? Probably not. It's all relative.
Seeing as though the question was 'do the players deserve a bigger slice of the pie?', my answer is still yes. If the money is being made and the profits have to go somewhere, why not to the blokes that ultimately put bums on seats and put their bodies and careers on the line each week?
In fact, just give it all to Cripps.
Not sure the comparison with overseas athletes is particularly relevant as the revenue models and amounts is likely to be quite different.
I am not sure how the AFL revenue pie is broken down or what other areas are funded beside player payments.
The_Wookie - Do you have any data on how revenue is being spent ? I am not sure what proportion of the AFL pie players are getting so difficult to form a view on whether they deserve a bigger slice.