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Players pushing for better pay
The Age
Saturday January 29, 2011
THE AFL has had its first chance to respond to the players' log of claims, heightening concerns among the game's on-field performers they face a testing negotiation period.The AFL Players' Association met league heavyweights on Thursday, the first meeting of the two major parties this year.At the forefront of talks for a new collective bargaining agreement is the players' push for greater pay and a set percentage of revenue, the latter particularly emerging as a point of debate.The AFLPA is keen for a set slice of between 25 and 27 per cent of all revenue, up about five per cent on the current arrangement. This would equate to about $220 million on last year's figures, as part of a range of submissions already put to the AFL in a document entitled: For the Players. For the Game.The average AFL wage is $241,000 but a recent report by Braham Dabscheck, an expert in sports industrial relations, says players could deserve more. The AFLPA will visit clubs next month to provide an update on discussions with the league.The AFL also remains in discussions with networks and the federal government about the new broadcast rights deal.The AFL and government have yet to agree on a legal mechanism, ensuring the best two matches of the AFL season remain on free television although parties involved in discussions insist that a breakthrough is close. The Gillard government announced in November plans to relax sports broadcasting rules to allow pay television to bid for four secondary AFL games a week.AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said discussions were ongoing."We are continuing to work. It's been a long time," he said."We are still obviously in discussions with all parties, including the government."Networks Seven, Ten, Nine and Foxtel have yet to lodge their final bids, but industry experts predict the new five-year deal will earn the league as much as $1 billion up from the $780 million in the deal that expires this year.Meanwhile, the AFL hopes to raise up to $500,000 for football clubs hit by the floods from NAB Cup gate takings.
© 2011 The Age