The long Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiation appears to finally be over and the players are set for a huge pay increase.
The Herald Sun reports the League has agreed to a new pay deal which will see players earn "28 per cent of total AFL industry revenues and sees the average player wage climb to $371,000" over the next six years.
In total, AFL players will earn around $1.8 billion from 2017 to 2022.
But that number could be even greater if the AFL's revenue rises above its projections over the next six seasons.
Players will also receive a 28 per cent share of all unbudgeted AFL revenues.
The League has also agreed to pay for yearly marketing and promotional payments to players, known as Additional Service Agreement.
The salary cap for each club will jump markedly over the next six years, rising over $3 million by 2022.
The deal also includes improved travel and accommodation conditions, the scrapping of the veteran’s allowance and bolstered welfare, player development, hardship and injury schemes.
Below is a breakdown of the salary cap for each season of the deal and the average player wage:
- 2016: $10.37m, $309,000
- 2017: $12.45m, $371,000
- 2018: $12.6m, $375,000
- 2019: $12.76m, $380,000
- 2020: $13.02m, $388,000
- 2021: $13.28m, $396,000
- 2022: $13.54m, $403,000
Note: Wages exclude rookie players
(Source: Herald Sun)
