New player contracts indefinitely frozen by AFL: Edmund

The financial toll on the AFL from the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened.

According to SEN's Sam Edmund, The AFL won't rubber stamp new contracts for players during the coronavirus crisis.

It leaves some of the game's biggest out-of-contract stars in limbo, with the league reportedly telling all 18 clubs yesterday that the finalisation of new contracts would be frozen indefinitely.

"Clubs have been told to cut $5 million from their balance sheets, while some will lose up to $10 million in crowd revenue alone," Edmund wrote.

"Staff have taken pay cuts, while others have been laid off. The AFL wants the players to take 20 per cent less on existing wages.

"List sizes and the football department soft cap could be among the many financial changes from next year.

"As such, no new deals will be signed off at AFL headquarters by total player payments boss Ken Wood."

Jordan De Goey, Brad Crouch, Darcy Moore, Zac Williams, Ben Brown and Tom Hawkins are amongst the big names off-contract.