Twelve AFL gamers have been paid seven-figure salaries final yr – a brand new competitors report – as wages throughout the league grew to larger ranges than ever earlier than.
Players’ salaries took an enormous hit through the COVID-ravaged 2020 season however have bounced again over the past two years.
Total participant funds rose from $233.9 million in 2021 to a brand new report of $257.6 million in 2022, with the typical wage rising above $400,000 for the primary time.
The common was $406,000; up from $372,224 in 2021 and $259,651 through the first yr of the worldwide pandemic.
Only 10 gamers earned lower than $100,000 final yr, whereas on the prime finish, three gamers have been paid at the very least $1.2 million.
There have been 12 gamers above the $1 million mark, up from simply 5 the earlier yr.
Individual AFL participant wage figures should not launched. However Sydney goal-kicking legend Lance Franklin and Brownlow Medal winners Dustin Martin and Nat Fyfe are believed to amongst those that earned seven-figure sums in 2022.
Melbourne midfield weapons Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, former Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy, Geelong premiership ahead Jeremy Cameron, West Coast star defender Jeremy McGovern and reappointed Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli are additionally reportedly across the similar mark.
A complete of 51 gamers have been paid at the very least $800,000 in 2022, whereas 193 of the competitors’s 659 gamers obtained at the very least $500,000.
Meanwhile, AFL executives obtained a complete of $11.8 million in 2022 – a mean of $1.3 million every – in comparison with $10.4 million in 2019, earlier than the worldwide pandemic.
On Wednesday, the AFL additionally reported an underlying working revenue of $20.7 million for 2022.
It was a big enchancment for the league, which posted an underlying working lack of $46.1 million in 2021 after two years riddled with COVID-19 interruptions.
AFL chief monetary officer Travis Auld stated final yr’s underlying revenue was a “break even” end result for the league’s funds.
It included partial receipt of the vast majority of the $225 million Victorian authorities grant for the Marvel Stadium redevelopment.
The AFL’s working income elevated by $131.8 million – as a consequence of a mixture of improved industrial returns from Marvel Stadium, sponsorship and broadcasting – and the league’s money steadiness on the finish of the monetary yr was $178.2 million.
The steadiness included $60.2 million payable to the AFL Players Association for a share of revenues captured over the 2017 to 2021 season, which was paid in November 2022.
“Our balance sheet remains strong,” Auld stated in an announcement.
“Despite the significant cash cost required to deliver the AFL and two AFLW seasons, the co-ordinated effort to reduce the industry cost base and protect revenues means the AFL was able to report a cash surplus for the financial year.
“The focus stays on the rebuild and strengthening of the trade steadiness sheet that may allow future funding within the progress and improvement of our sport from grassroots by way of to the elite platforms, whereas nonetheless investing important funding into participant psychological well being and welfare initiatives which stay properly above pre-Covid ranges.
“We have survived the most challenging three years in the game’s history and our priority remains to keep our game as affordable and accessible as possible for all.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
