The A-League Player Contract Regulations will introduce a number of innovations into the A-League from 1 April including an 18% increase to the A-League salary cap, under the terms of a new agreement between FFA and the PFA, with the 2009/2010 salary floor now being higher than last year’s salary cap. The new salary cap takes average A-League player payments above $100,000 for the first time even at clubs that don’t use Additional Services Agreements (ASAs).
PFA Chief Executive Brendan Schwab today said the agreement was made possible under the terms of the A-League Collective Bargaining Agreement, which commits FFA to negotiating the A-League Player Contract Regulations with the PFA on an annual basis.

The new salary cap arrangements are:

Club Payments
2008/09 ($)
2009/10 ($)
2010/11 ($)

Min. Player Payments
1,615,000
1,912,500
1,997,500

Max. Player Payments
1,900,000
2,250,000
2,350,000

ASAs
475,000
250,000
275,000

Under 23 Marquee
150,000
150,000
150,000

Total Allowed Payments
2,525,000
2,650,000
2,775,000

Average Min. Player Payments
73,409
86,932
90,796

Average Max. Player Payments
86,364
102,273
106,818

Average Total Allowed Payments (exc Marquee Player)
114,773
120,455
126,136
Other major changes include:
· A-League Clubs can spread the optional $150,000 Youth Marquee allowance between 1 and 3 players;

  • A-League Clubs can give testimonials to 1 long serving player each year, with $75,000 permitted outside the salary cap. The testimonial can be a match, dinner or merchandise program, or even a combination of all 3;
  • ASAs must be through third parties. Club based ASAs now form part of the Standard Player Contract, with Club based ASAs signed before 8 December 2008 protected in the transitional period. This condition made possible the substantial increase in both the salary cap and the salary floor;
  • the right of a player to seek independent medical attention is now set out in the Standard Player Contract; and
  • compliance by Clubs with the A-League CBA is now a condition of the Player Contract Regulations, which means FFA is now empowered to take disciplinary action against Clubs that fail to comply with the CBA or their contractual obligations to players.

FFA CEO Ben Buckley and Schwab have signed a formal document varying the CBA to give effect to the new arrangements.

“We are pleased by the level of consultation with FFA in relation to the employment conditions of A-League players,” Schwab said. “Every issue is approached with the shared objectives of promoting: (1) the quality and professionalism of the A-League and its clubs; (2) the benefits available to players; and (3) the economic viability of the clubs and the competition as a whole.

“The changes negotiated reflect an expanding competition in which the players will be under intense pressure for the longer A-League season, especially in terms of travel and heat. Having said that, our members overwhelmingly acknowledge that a longer A-League season is essential if Australia is to produce and retain players of international calibre,” Schwab added.