Historic AFL/AFLW Joint CBA Signed

[The_Wookie]

21.09.23 AFL x AFLPA MEDIA RELEASE

Landmark joint Collective Bargaining Agreement reached Long-term five-year deal provides certainty for industry 2023-2027 Further 29% pay uplift for AFLW players effective immediately AFLW season length to increase to 12 rounds in 2025, potentially 14 rounds in 2027 AFL players get 10% pay uplift effective immediately AFL past players Injury and hardship fund will receive a $40 million boost The AFL and AFL Players Association (AFLPA) have today announced a new and historic joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has been signed. For the first time, a single CBA covers both the AFL and AFLW players. The AFL men’s competition will see an uplift of 10 per cent in Total Player Payments, effective immediately and back paid for the 2023 Season. After an historic 94 per cent pay increase in 2022, all AFLW players will now receive an additional 29 per cent uplift for the current 2023 NAB AFLW Season. The average AFLW Player pay will immediately increase from $46,000 to $60,000 in 2023, then up to $82,000 by 2027. Under the revised CBA, it is estimated that more than 90 of the top AFLW players will be paid more than $100,000 for the 2023 season (inclusive of ASA’s) – up from 40 players last season (Season Seven) and 12 players in Season Six. The five-year deal will see a total AFLW player payment uplift of 77 per cent by 2027 across all 540 players – the largest total investment in women’s sport of any domestic league. All up the combined AFL and AFLW agreement will see players receive 31.7 per cent of all assessable football revenue. The average men’s salary in 2027 will increase to approximately $519,000. Importantly, the past players injury and hardship fund will receive a $40 million boost, with $60 million invested in the fund over five years - up from $20 million in the last CBA - to ensure that more players, including those suffering long-term impacts of concussion, are able to access funding to support them post-career. The agreement will also see more five-day breaks (three per club) to allow greater AFL fixture flexibility, including ability to schedule more Thursday night matches, along with increased media access to players in the lead up to matches to better market the game to members and supporters who have attended games and bought memberships in record numbers this year. Included in the CBA is discussions to continue with clubs and the AFLPA on a Mid-season trade period for the AFL Competition. The details of if, when and how that mechanism is to potentially work is to be formally worked through between the AFL, AFLPA and the clubs over the coming months. AFLW players will receive increased certainty with 12-month contracts implemented, and the ability to sign multi-year contracts – the same as the men’s AFL competition. A world leading 12-month pregnancy policy, commencing from six weeks before a player’s due date, will be immediately introduced as will increased investment into player support and welfare. Player relocation and travel benefits will be now equitable for both AFL and AFLW players who relocate states. The AFLW season length will also increase with the NAB AFLW season expanding to 12 home and away rounds by 2025, and potentially 14 home and away rounds during the term of the deal, based on achievement of key audience metrics. The key audience metrics will be modelled off metrics achieved in the Season Two (2018) which at its most basic level saw on average 6,000 fans a game and 100,000 broadcast viewers. The AFL and AFLPA will now work together on executing an accelerated marketing plan designed to build greater support for the AFLW competition. The pay uplift and increased season length comes on the back of the recent equal prizemoney announcement for AFL and AFLW with a total $1.1 million dollars to be split across the players of the final’s teams, almost double the $623,922 from last season. The increased prizemoney is in addition to the $1 million in prizemoney for McClelland Trophy Champion Club award, with the players share of this prizemoney to shared equally club’s AFL and AFLW players. The AFL and AFLPA will also revamp the Industry Governance Committee (IGC) to enhance Player Development and – with the AFL, AFLPA and the clubs – set up a committee to recommend improvements to ensure safer, more inclusive environments all. “On behalf of the AFL, I want to thank the AFLPA, and particularly CEO Paul Marsh for his leadership and for the input from the players. The new CBA provides certainty to the players for both competitions, it recognises their impact and contribution in continuing to make sure we have the greatest game in the world,” AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said. “Our AFLW players receive another immediate boost after an historic 94 per cent increase last season, and the opportunity is ahead of the competition to continue to grow in length if we can reach some key support metrics that have been achieved before. Together we will focus on expanding crowds and TV audience for the women’s competition while working to engage more women and girls to take up football. AFL CEO-elect Andrew Dillon said key outputs from the CBA will allow improved care for past players. “Our AFL players continue to be the best paid sportspeople for a domestic competition in the country, and the contribution to the injury and hardship fund allows both the AFL and AFLPA to better assist our past players who may be in need, particularly those who are suffering the long-term impact of concussion,” Mr Dillon said. Mr Dillon also acknowledged improved fixturing options for clubs and fans with the introduction of another five-day break for clubs in season. “The five-day break flexibility allows us to fixture more Thursday night matches as we indicated in the last broadcast deal. “While bringing together men and women in the one agreement has taken time, ultimately the AFL and AFLPA wanted the same thing – that is to ensure the players are well remunerated, their development is well resourced, their welfare is continued to be prioritised and we can still continue to keep the game affordable and accessible for fans and continue to grow and support footy at every level. “We have seen supporters flock to our game in record numbers this year and we now have a record one in 21 Australians who are members of an AFL club off the back of one of the greatest-ever AFL seasons, which is a testament to the players and the clubs.” AFLPA CEO, Paul Marsh said “This is a transformative and historic Collective Bargaining Agreement for players, past and present, and the game. “This CBA presented an opportunity to bring AFL and AFLW players into one joint agreement and we are thrilled to have reached an outcome that enshrines all players as true partners in the game. “While the financial aspects of this agreement are vital and we are thrilled at the outcome achieved, this was much more than a pay deal. “We believed this deal provided an opportunity for the AFL industry to significantly advance the AFLW competition, lead the way in respect to the support provided to past and present players, continue to improve the health and safety of players and work more proactively and collaboratively in areas relating to gender and race. This deal achieves all of these objectives. “I’d like to thank all of our players for their patience and support, and especially our Board members through the leadership of President Patrick Dangerfield and Chair Andrew Twaits, as well as player leaders and delegates for dedicating their time, energy, and guidance during these negotiations. I’d also like to thank all of our staff at the AFLPA for the significant amount of work they have done throughout this process. “I’d also like to acknowledge and thank the AFL, led by Gillon and now Andrew, for their partnership and collaboration. On behalf of all AFLPA members, I congratulate Gill for the significant contribution he has made as CEO of the AFL and wish Andrew every success in his new role. “The players have overwhelmingly voted in support of this CBA and we believe this is a deal that speaks strongly to how highly the industry values their contribution.” SUMMARY AFLW 29% pay uplift for AFLW players effective immediately. AFLW season length to increase to 12 rounds in 2025, potentially 14 rounds in 2027 based on achieving key metrics The AFLW Total Player Payments inclusive of Base amount is more than $32.3 million for 2023, compared to $25 million for Season Seven and $10.4 million in Season Six. Clubs will continue to be required to ensure there are minimum levels of medical, physical preparation and high-performance staff resourcing to allow AFLW players to prepare for matches and training sessions more efficiently. AFLW players will receive increased certainty with 12-month contracts implemented, and the ability to sign multi-year contracts – the same as the men’s AFL competition. A world leading 12-month pregnancy policy, commencing from six weeks before a player’s due date, will be immediately introduced as will increased investment into player support and welfare. AFL 10% increase in base pay in 2023. 37% increase in pay over the life of the deal. Average player salary to increase from $387,000 in 2022 to $519,000 in 2027. Three-year contracts for first round draftees Regulated payments for third year players Player leave has increased based on the last CBA. Five-day breaks provide greater flexibility in fixturing – including more Thursday night games Injury and hardship fund ($40 million boost) - $60 million over five years, up from $20 million Discussions on a mid-season trade period to continue with clubs OTHER Increased access to players for media and broadcast via new broadcast policy to be introduced. All AFL players in the 23 named from the week before to be available to media in the week after their match. Player relocation and travel benefits will be equitable for both AFL and AFLW players who relocate states. A joint committee will be set up by the AFL and AFLPA to ensure a safe working environment for all players.

 

[AstuteTiger]

Mid-season trading is officially on the table with details of “if, when and how that mechanism is to potentially work” to still be formally worked through by the league and players “over the coming months”.

Pros and cons;
As a supporter, it would be weird to see one of your players playing for another team midseason.
The benefit, If a club is cruelled by injuries that's one way to look for a talented player to fill the void, and if finals look on the agenda may well use this as another way to bring in talent.

 

[IKnowtheDog]

It would be interesting to know what planning is going into state leagues by the AFL with these types of CBA.

For instance the talk about the length of the women's season is there any talk about planning the various women's state leagues. In time both are going to need to be run at the same time.

 

[BobbyMorri]

Fair play to the AFLPA. That is a great deal for their players in the AFLW, money wise.

Still 3/4 quarters of a season. I guess the above might be the factor. These girls might be playing 2 different seasons with 2 different clubs.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Big pay rises, more AFLW games in historic joint CBA

The AFL and AFLW players have agreed a new five-year joint pay deal with the League

www.afl.com.au

AFL AND AFLW players have locked in immediate pay rises and the length of the AFLW season will increase under a historic new joint collective bargaining agreement signed on Thursday.

Men's players will receive an instant boost of 10 per cent, backpaid for the 2023 season, while women's players pay will go up by 29 per cent for 2023.

By the end of the new pay deal, which runs until the end of 2027, the average AFL player salary will be about $519,000, while the average AFLW player salary will increase to $82,000 (from the current $46,000). AFLW players will also receive 12-month contracts, and will be able to sign multi-year deals.

Player payments in AFLW will increase by a total of 77 per cent by the end of the five-year deal across the League's 540 listed players.

The AFL past players' injury and hardship fund will receive $60 million over the life of the new CBA, up $40 million from the last deal.

As part of the agreement, there will be more five-day breaks in the men's competition (three per club) to accommodate more fixture flexibility as the League adds more Thursday night games in the new broadcast deal with partners Seven and Foxtel.

Men's draftees selected inside the top 20 will now sign a three-year contract, up from two seasons.

Discussions will also continue with clubs and the AFLPA on the proposed introduction of a mid-season trade period.

"There's still detail to work out around it, but I think it's something that the game could benefit from," Geelong captain and AFLPA president Patrick Dangerfield said of the mid-season trade debate.

"There's players that could certainly benefit from it.

"And depending on the situation that each team is in I think there's benefits for both teams that lose players and teams that gain players."........

 

[The Educator]

Absolutely massive outcome for the AFLW players

A minimum salary of $70K per year is substantially higher than any domestic women's sporting league I can find except for WNBA which has about 1/4 the number of players.

Easily the highest TPP of any women's sport on the planet.

Massive achievement and you can almost hear the sucking sound of Australian female athletic talent into the AFLW over the next few years!

 

[Walshawk]

It would be interesting to know what planning is going into state leagues by the AFL with these types of CBA.

For instance the talk about the length of the women's season is there any talk about planning the various women's state leagues. In time both are going to need to be run at the same time.

Gil said the AFL ideally would play the AFLW season concurrently with the men. If and when the AFL season expands, it will expand into footy season. Reckon May start, GF during AFL pre-finals bye.