Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Salary Caps? Impossible...

The plan of having a limit to player's salary was brought up by two English giants, Man United and Chelsea only last week with the two teams involved in major contract talks with their star players.

United are looking to tie up Ronaldo's contract till 2012 while Chelsea faces a daunting task of persuading Frank Lampard from leaving Stamford Bridge for the bright sunshine of Catalan. Captain, John Terry, too wanted an improvement to his contract and he wants his pay to be on par with the highest paid in the club.

Why a sudden thought of this then?

Perhaps footballers are asking a little too much nowadays. It's scary to think that you could earn what some normal civilians earn in a year, in just seven days. With players demanding more, salaries skyrocket and inflate. Clubs are afraid to lose their best players over monetary issue and whatnot.

But I just can't see how salary caps will work unless it's fully implemented by the English FA. The news about the supposed 'salary caps' is brought up by only United and Chelsea, in which they have a 'silent agreement'. But even IF it's implemented by the FA, I don't see it bearing any fruits at all.

How many of us truly believe they are ready to make sacrifices such as losing Ronaldo and Lampard just because they're thinking the lot of them are earning a wee bit too much?

To me, implementing the salary cap is just pure myopic. It saddens me to say this but I've mentioned many times, football is now run by the money. It's no longer the cog in the machine but the very drive for players to play. How many players in the modern age will actually give up a few grands to play for their club? It's a question clubs must answer for themselves.

Because with the salary cap, it's going to have an adverse effect in not only the club, but the league as a whole as well.

We knew the demand of Ronaldo as he wants his 60k per week salary doubled if he is to pledge his loyalty. Just imagine the United board snub his request. Can you see that happening?

Not for me. I do not see the clubs sacrificing star players just to look good in front of the media and setting a new trend. Because that's how the world goes round and no matter what you do, it's always going to come in a circle.

With star players not given their desired salary, they'll leave for other clubs which are capable of paying them what they want and just imagine the Premiership without the likes of Ronaldo, Drogba and Terry just because of contract disputes. The overall standard of the league will drop drastically in the long term aspect.

The money in the game now are brought about by the broadcasters and TV stations with their purchase of the league's rights. With standards going down, will they want to pay as much for the rights? It'll certainly affect the game a whole round in long term.

By saving an odd 20-30k a week it's going to make clubs lose millions in the future. Think about the consequences. The full impact of this action might not only be felt by the two clubs, but the league as a whole.

I must make a stand here that I'm absolutely astonished to see how much these players earn in a week but who can help it. The players salary are only going to be higher and soon, there won't be footballers but they'll be pseudo-entertainers with a name.

And the salary cap ain't gonna work, I reckon.

3 comments:

Tim Robinson said...

I am a big fan of a salary cap in principle. Unfortunately it is UNWORKABLE in the current climate.

For a cap to work, a whole confederation would need comply. Possibly even FIFA. Without that cooperation, players will just move to Spain or Italy where the money is, and a player drain will commence.

I have seen a salary cap and player draft work perfectly with the indigenous football in Australia (AFL). It makes it completely realistic for EVERY team to have a chance at winning a premiership. What hope do Middlesbrough have of ever winning a Premier Leauge title? Their best hope is to either pinch a UEFA Cup spot occasionally or get bought out by some millionaire to possibly match it against the BIG 4. But there is always a West Ham in waiting though.

What incentive to supporters have to turn up to games or watch them on Pay TV? If the club spends wisely, you might get to travel to Bucharest next year? PLEASE!

The real issue is that NO club will sign off on a Salary Cap as any cap can be challenged in court under 'Restraint of Trade'. It would take cooperation of an entire league, confederation and FIFA for it to work. And that won't happen unfortunately. It happens in the AFL, but the clubs know the consequences to the league if they pull out of the Salary Cap arrangement.

I guess we can just look forward to Chelsea, Arsenal, Man U, Celtic, Rangers, Barca, Valencia, Real Madrid, Milan, Inter, Roma, Juve, Lyon ... etc etc winning title after title.

How exciting !!

DROGBALLS said...

I guess you're more knowledgeable in terms of salary caps as you know how it works. I don't study how the American sports and salary cap works so all I can say is I don't see it happening.

Anyway, very insightful. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

There be a Salary Cap in English Football!
Personally I think there should be! It’s just getting to be stupid money in football at the top of the premiership!
It’s always the same teams at the top proving that football success is based purely on money which ruins the idea of it being a sport! They’ve done it in rugby, basketball, hockey and American football and it makes the sports more competitive and better to watch!
I do a little Spread Betting from time to time and most matches don’t hold much surprise who is going to win, its boring! I want to see a team at the bottom pulling off an amazing season beating last seasons winners in a close fought battle!
Make things fair! It shouldn’t be about money!
Plus!
All there is all that money in the premiership and barely any of it stays in the UK so it’s not even helping the economy!
From my Spread Betting, if I ever win big (which is never, I’m unlucky) it’s still nothing compared to the average premiership players weekly wage!
This Rant was brought to you by Spread Betting Spike.