Statement from the AFL Players’ Association
By Heath Evans 2:51PM Thursday 15 September 2011
AFL Players have today responded to the AFL’s most recent offer with a compromise that is within the financial parameters of the AFL’s proposal but which significantly strengthens their confidence that they will share in the success of the game.
As part of the players’ response they have made significant concessions, moving away from a percentage revenue sharing model and reducing the quantum of their claim so that it sits within the AFL’s proposal.
AFL Players’ Association CEO Matt Finnis said that at the direction of players, the concessions offered were contingent on the AFL agreeing to a 3-year deal.
“In the interests of providing certainty for clubs and the game, the players have moved a long way to accommodate the concerns of the AFL,” Finnis said.
“The players are not asking for more money. They are simply seeking to negotiate an agreement within the scope of what has been offered.”
Finnis said the shorter the deal, the less the need for a percentage model.
“It’s very difficult to predict the state of the AFL landscape in 2016,” he said.
He said three year agreements are standard across all sectors of the economy, with five year deals virtually unheard-of.
“The need for a shorter agreement is even greater in an industry where players have very short careers compared to other workers,” Finnis said.
The Players’ response to the AFL’s offer was discussed at a meeting with AFL representatives this morning. Those discussions were held in good faith, and it was agreed a formal written response would be handed to the AFL by 5pm today.
Finnis said players would continue to work through the issues with the AFL over the course of September.
Comments (Total 8 Comments)
Phill
4:08PM Thursday 15 September 2011
I belive a deal with 11%, 5%, 5%, 3% + 3% increases to be more than reasonable. What I do not wish to see is the game entry costs increasing above CPI and as a result fewer people going to the games and more people watching it on the TV. Image the game of the future if all teams drew crowds like North.
Paige
5:13PM Thursday 15 September 2011
Seriously the AFL players need to consider the rest of the game and take a reality check ... the primary income for the AFL comes in a 5 year cycle ... game funding is provided in a 5 year cycle ... all parts of the game SHOULD be on a 5 year cycle ... the rest of the population would jump at a 11%, 5%, 5%, 3%, 3% increase ... and it isnt an argument to say ‘we dont have long careers’ so we need to have a shorter arrangement ... what a load of rubbish ... the normal population cant chop and change their pay arrangements because they might only be employed for two years ... seriously your salaries are out of whack with society as it is ... your pay rises are substantially out of whack with society ... you should be thankful that you get to play the sport you love for a living ... take the deal!!!
Andy
5:23PM Thursday 15 September 2011
The AFL board has brought this situation upon itself. Large concessions to up and coming teams has seen some average players being paid more than some of the real talents of this competition, and has resulted in most other players reassessing their worth. Let’s not forget the players make the game, they are the talent.
The AFL Board, some whom earn more than the most elite players, are the overpaid party here. What they have done to this great game in the last few years is an absolute shame. I see the AFL Board almost akin to a dictatorship - and these regimes will ultimately fall.
The Players should ditch the AFL start their own league, have the AFLPA hire and decide renumeration for the board running the league and get rid of guys on these million dollar salaries that seem to think that they can say and do anything without reply.
Paige
5:41PM Thursday 15 September 2011
Andy - the two arguments about expansion teams and players salaries are two totally different arguments ... and to suggest a rebel league starts up i would hope you are joking ... we saw what it did to the NRL. It would destroy the game at the elite level ... and would have potentially dire consequences for grassroots football.
I just hope the players arent cutting off their nose to spite their face ... and what is in the betterment of all the game ... not just a $$$ grab.
Time will tell
ian
7:03PM Thursday 15 September 2011
No union or its members should ever agree to redundancies to fund wage increases.
ie. the reduction of rookie and playing list numbers.
One person loosing his job to help fund another’s pay increase should be totally abhorrent to members and their union.
Solidarity.
scott
9:02PM Thursday 15 September 2011
I just wish both sides would hurry up and do a deal. This outcome is holding up the entire footy industry’s budget and funding decisions.
That means literally thousands of kids in footy all over the country and even around the world are having their footy dreams put on hold while the AFL and the AFLPA go back and forth.
It means local footy clubs dont know what support they can expect next year and it means volunteers and development staff dont know what schools they can visit or how many auskick packs or footies they can provide.
Lets remember we are all on the same side and we all need to keep the good of the game as a whole in focus.
So please guys just sit down in a room with no windows under Etihad Stadium, lock the door and noone come out until the deal is done
A Frustrated Footy Volunteer.
Andrew
12:55PM Friday 16 September 2011
I follow my club, not the players.
I’d be just as passionate if this greedy mob went on strike for 12 months and we got the amateurs in.
The players don’t make the game at all, the fans and the thousands of volunteers do.
Fred
10:12PM Sunday 18 September 2011
This is just greed. The players want a massive payday. Sure they put on the show and deserve a good wage, but they are not the entire game. There are thousands of people who make Australian football great so how about a bit of love for the volunteers running the grassroots level of the sport where these blokes sprouted from in the first place.
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