Head of the Hyundai A-League Damien de Bohun says the demand of Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) that 30% of A-League club revenues go into a player payment pool is irresponsible.
FFA and the 10 member clubs of the Hyundai A-League have been in negotiations for the new Collective Bargaining Agreement over the past six months, with an offer currently on the table to be accepted by the PFA.
The current CBA expires today (Tuesday June 30).
Negotiations between the FFA, the clubs and the PFA were progressing until the players’ union demanded 30 per cent of all club revenue be redistributed into a player pool. This includes revenue from box office, membership, sponsorship, hospitality and merchandise.
“The PFA’s claim for players to receive a contracted right to 30% of A-League club revenues is irresponsible,” said Head of Hyundai A-League, Damien de Bohun.
“It’s not rational to think that A-League clubs could survive if 30% of every dollar for tickets, membership, sponsorship, hospitality and merchandise was taken away.”
It’s understood that while two A-League clubs are profitable and another is at break-even, the vast majority are running operational losses in excess of $1 million annually.
Despite the PFA decision to walk away from negotiations last Thursday, the FFA and the Hyundai A-League clubs yesterday reaffirmed the new CBA deal remains on the table and is ready for immediate acceptance by the PFA, on behalf of the players.
The key features of the new CBA for the A-League:
· A six-year commitment offering sustainability, stability and increased player payments
· Immediate introduction of new Salary Cap exemptions and flexibilities that amount to a forecast increase of 12% in player payments for next season
· A 30% share for players of any uplift in the next domestic broadcast rights deal
· An increase in the Salary Floor to 90% of the Salary Cap
· An increase in the Minimum A-League Salary to $55,000
· Further investment in the PFA Player Development Program
