The A-League, salary caps, and the good old Aussie ‘fair go’
Roar Guru By Millster, 30 Jan 2008 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
It should be no surprise to anyone that Les Murray, in his current TWG op-ed, links the issues of national coach Pim Verbeek’s perhaps over-blunt assessment of the A-League’s standard and that of the salary cap that exists within the league.
We went into the final round of the regular season with no less than 4 clubs on equal points, and all capable of becoming minor premiers. And yet our national coach doubts that he could assemble a single team from these 4 leading squads (not to mention the other 4 clubs in the comp) that he would confidently put up against … wait for it … Qatar.
Now, I applaud the progress that domestic football has made over the last three years and am a regular attendee at the SFS, enjoying the competition and the new energy around football in Australia. However, I cannot help but think that the architects of the “new football” order have been overly concerned at creating an internally competitive league, at the expense of Australian football’s development vis-a-vis external benchmarks.
Artificial levelling devices such as salary caps, player drafts and other restrictions have their place in the closed environment of a single league. And they have certainly contributed to the success of sports such as Rugby League and AFL in creating interesting, dynamic competitions and therefore a level of fan support that is perhaps at a premium to what these closed, small-market sports should naturally achieve.
But the context for football is not just the Australian market, nor the Australian market plus one or two ‘also ran’ nations. We have a much bigger context — Asia and the world. It may therefore not be so important to produce 8, 10 or 12 clubs that are competitive among themselves. Rather, maybe it’s a better objective to produce those 1, 2 or 3 of our clubs that are truly competitive by external standards, that can take it to the world, even at the cost of them dominating our domestic league.
The most prominent case in point is Scotland — a country with only a third of Australia’s population. Celtic and Rangers dominate their league, and provide that nation with internationally recognisable, indeed iconic, clubs that compete at the highest of European levels. Does the rest of the league suffer for this in terms of playing standard, club support or fan enjoyment? Check with your local supporter of Hearts, of Hibs, of Aberdeen. I think not. And Scotland is not the only instance of a league with dominant clubs. Milan, Inter and Juve in Italy. Real and Barca in Spain. The big 4 in England.
I think that we fear the creation of super-clubs too much here, and that this fear is wedded with the Aussie notion of a ‘fair go’ and also the risk of stepping away from the internally competitive model of sports that exists — in reality — in a totally different and far more limited context than football.
I think the psyche of the fan is also more complex than the A-League architects think. Just as is already starting to occur with Sydney, the super-clubs are likely to raise attendances and profiles for all clubs through a combination of antipathy and aspiration when they play in domestic competition. Everyone likes to try to knock off the big guy after all! And when they play as ‘the’ Aussie club abroad’ in ACL or other competitions, the country (even if reluctantly) is likely to rally around them.
Australian clubs have incredible opportunities before them, especially in the Asian region in which we compete. And at the appropriate time, and in the appropriate way, I would like to see them unleashed to pursue those opportunities — including removal of the salary cap, and increasing each club’s freedom to raise and spend funds in general. This has to be done carefully and in a phased manner, of course. But if the net result of relaxing the artificial levellers in our game is to encourage more investment in high quality players, coaches, youth development and club facilities, and ultimately the lifting of the Australian club game to an internationally competitive standard, then — even if the benefits are not evenly spread — we are surely shooting ourselves in the foot to not be progressing down this path of liberalisation.
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February 1st 2008 @ 12:36pm
Michael C said | February 1st 2008 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
Here I am midfeilder! (forgive me, I have perhaps rambled on a bit,in between deep thought on work issues).
—- first, I’ll clarify my perspective
I must say that I really am not a fan of soccer. It’s too negatively geared a game for my liking. Goals are too hard to come by, and invariably the proportion of goals via mistakes is almost greater than goals via attacking quality (especially in the HAL). I’m not fan of off-side, especially given that half the time it’s called incorrectly, and the other half of the time it’s just an ugly cowardly ‘trap’ that makes the attacker look silly because he was actually trying to do something positive……
My interest in the HAL is more around the general interest in the Aust sporting market place. Just as I figure that people with a similar view would find other competitions intereseting if for no other reason than to learn, and sometimes learn more about their prefered code by means of relative comparison.
—–
right -that qualification out of the way:
I reckon –
8 teams. Need to be consolidated. Need to get 2nd tier established and bedded down and get everybody 5 years down the track and financial sustainable.
I recognise some people complain that the 21 round season is too short. (they should work harder, the 22 rounds in AFL is almost too long and I know not have the NRL manages players over 25 rounds plus SoO plus meaningless internationals etc).
I reckon that there’s a narrow window now to insert a couple of new teams. But, all the talk I’ve heard is more from QLD/NSW. Which firstly intensifies the ‘war’ with NRL and ARU and basketball – - and further in a sense benefits the AFL as the ‘niche’ competitor in the capital city markets rather than fighting the regional ‘land battle’ that the others are fighting.
Already, the HAL is a bit like a NSW invitational league. THe ARC in RU was hijacked by the NSW power brokers who weren’t willing to let themselves be excluded. It seems the HAL is going down the same path potentially. Bring in Wollongong, West Sydney, Canberra, Gold Coast etc……..and retain only one team in Vic, Sa, WA etc. That doesn’t cut it.
Note though, in Vic – where does the next team identify itself. Already, MVFC claims Melbourne, Victory as a play on Victoria, and the traditional ‘Big V’ white on navy blue that is the symbol of VFL/AFL SoO traditionally. The MVFC has effectively cornered the market.
I see the HAL as perhaps reflecting basketball. In suffers by comparison to the US, as HAL suffers to EPL etc. 20 years ago basketball was going to take over. It still has large participation, and guys like Bogut in the US, and the Boomers well ranked and competitive. But – it’s seemingly peaked, and found it’s niche. Soccer will be interesting to observe. Is it going to be like the US where for many it’s just a ‘safe’ game for the 8 yr olds. I know Craig Foster has spoken of the need to convert the kids from 6 months a year, 1 night a week into 10 months and 3 nights. I don’t know if that’ll be possible in such a diverse market as Australia. But – talent identification and elite talent pathways must play a part – I presume that was part of why Ben Buckley was poached from the AFL.
The HAL is about to increase costs via the 2nd tier comp. Club lists will be longer and travel/operational expenses greater. So, phase 1 of increase revenue is already being swallowed up. BUt this is the key area, talent development, talent pathway. What happens then. Do people really expect Australias best to stay here? I reckon for ever that if able – players will head to the EPL, or Serie A etc. Is it really expected that the ‘best players’ can be retained? I would only expect that IF for example the top 3 clubs were regulars in ‘internationl club’ competition. And that you’ll get by removing the salary cap and allowing MVFC to gain real benefit from 22K members. Let them have a mortgage on a ACL rep slot.
For me, I like the concept of local teams NOT wasting money on buying in players from out of their area just to win a premiership – I rather that they represent a community. I prefer that sports is played by lovers of the game rather than just career choice aspirationalists.
I should then prefer the A-1 to the F1 in motor racing.
I’m at cross roads re my AFL, my club, North Melb, I supported them moving to QLD. As, what does the suburb of North Melb represent anymore? Since the draft, the club is more just a team. You no longer develop players via the Under 19s and ressies. The salary cap at least means that no club can just call on the wealthiest person who delivers them all the best players. The salary cap means that clubs have to work effectively, and develop their squad as best as possible. But – this may only really work in an enclosed environment. In the AFL we don’t lose players overseas. At present we can bring out some Gaelic kids, if that were reversed, then who knows. So – the main pressures on salary cap are external to the game itself and the retention of players. That’s not the case for the HAL.
Socceroos – - like future Aust cricketers, do you want Pura cup teams focussed on winning the comp, or developing players for Aust representation. My Vic Bushrangers in recent years have been successful at the former and crap at the latter. Either the HAL is a ‘competition’ unto itself, or it’s a development league. Either way, it’ll be hard for it, in the next 10 years at least – to pay what would be needed to be the home of most of the socceroos. Let the HAL just evolve to what it will be. Let it get it’s foundations in place first. I.e. the 2nd tier and financially stable clubs. And if it increases in number of clubs, or rounds, who knows.
TV coverage wise, it’s highly unlikely to go FTA. (is that so bad a thing?). And sits nicely on pay beside all the other soccer product, of which there is no shortage – from around the world – which begs the question of how much demand there would be from Foxtel to ‘pay’ for more games each weeek and more rounds that may simply overlap too much with the AFL and NRL. Maybe – just maybe – by going to summer – the HAL has allowed itself to find a decent niche – but may not be able to grow out of that niche – – a bit like basketball.
Btw – Greg – don’t forget, that many HAL followers are AFL members during the AFL season. The soccer in Melb is a chance for people who during the regular AFL season go their separate ways – who then can go together as a group to the soccer. It’s not their ‘A’ game, or ‘A’ club, but it’s nice. In Perth, they’ll have trouble turning to the AFL if they aren’t already, Freo and the Eagles can’t fit many more in. The Eagles have a waiting list for members nowadays. Certainly though – the ‘delusions of grandeur’ that some have for the HAL are based on under rating the competition in the Aust market place and sometimes over rating the soccer world outside of the top half dozen leagues.
February 1st 2008 @ 4:04pm
Midfielder said | February 1st 2008 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
Michael C
You make a lot of sense in what you say. Two very important points you mentioned are one about 74% of Hal supporters at capital city games also attend AFL or NRL games. So the FFA marketing of you can support North Melbourne and Melbourne Victory enjoy both has worked as a marketing tool. The reasoning behind the idea is some people just like sport and the and are happy to go winter and summer and if they happen to clash on the same weekend in winter will go to the game which most hangs on but more than likely AFL & NRL. The A-league by appealing to people who enjoy watching football will pay huge dividends and also increase the marketability of the Socceroos.
Second the lost of the best overseas, how this is handled in the long term will be a difficult problem, I am not sure how its done.
The FTA issue is interesting I am sure the Socceroos would rate the house down, my guess is a Australia V Japan match in a world cup qualifier would be close to the most watched show in Australia over a year. However I do not think the A-League is ready yet and it could do more harm to go FTA right now. This was the mistake union made with the ARC by putting a weak product on national television, and thereby telling its sponsors nobody cares did a huge amount of creditably damage to union.
Another point not that well understood outside football is, the A-league has two external competitions to go to after the A-League. Thus more than any other code making the finals is important not just to make the finals but to join in the other two competitions. These being first the top four in the A-League will soon go the Asian Champions League & second the top two to the Pan Asian games.
Your point on do we want the A-league as a training ground for the national is no. Our best will forever be based overseas and the Socceroos will forever be a squad of about 60 based in Europe and Australia. The A-League needs unlike the pura to pay its way. Help develop and train lots of players as part of a process of winning the A-League or Asian Champions league.
Interestingly you raised the point of the AFL not to loose players overseas etc I have often pondered if the best 13 players in each of the 16 AFL teams left today how would that effect the league. The NRL over the last three years is having a problem with English Super League clubs trying to buy players. Not sure of the answer but it would be interesting to see if you could replace the top 200 players.
February 1st 2008 @ 4:22pm
Michael C said | February 1st 2008 @ 4:22pm | Report comment
It’s certainly a fair point about what would happen to AFL if the top 150 players were over in Europe. Exactly the same as soccer. It’d be a lesser standard local comp. HOwever – the reality is that there are no higher standard/paying comps overseas for AFL players to go to.
It’s both a massive advantange and a disadvantage, but in the Australian context at present – I believe the AFL is advantaged by it’s percieved ‘weakness’ of NOT being ‘international’ (professionally).
Socceroos vs Japan, might rate the house down. Depending on time slot, etc. And just what the game means. HOwever, just as a heap of people stop and watch the FA cup, or the Superbowl or the final of the RUWC, just what that means is another question. A bit like Becksmania in Sydney which seems not to have benefitted SFC – as yet. But – certainly – the Socceroos are a marketing tool for the game – in some respect – depending upon the accessability of the ‘key personnel’. Consider that Lucas Neill could be a major household name….except we never see him in Australia. We do however see Brett Lee, LEyton Hewitt, Gary Ablett Jnr etc etc. The Socceroos with a Euro strength base are an interesting phenomena, especially if socceroos commitments in Asia increase further. What good is playing mid-winter in Europe and then jetting to KL for a game in hot sticky humidity.
The ACL and Pan Asian as yet have zero profile. Last year the ACL was a bit of a flop esp for Ade Utd and for SFC the main benefit was that they started to show something. However, perhaps when the season gets into sync with the A-League winner, that’ll make some difference. But – in reality, even less people will care about Ade Utd playing some team from Indonesia or Thailand than will care about Ade Utd playing MVFC. They are invariably unpronouncable names that would take 2 generations to become househould names – other than perhaps Urawa Reds. HOwever – to line up against AC Milan……
The main factor with the thrust into Asia is less about public recognition and more about sponsor value – I’d have thought.
cheers, off to the ‘G 2nite 4 the hit & giggle……3 hours, just like going to the footy on a Friday night.
February 6th 2008 @ 2:55pm
curious said | February 6th 2008 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
I think there is quiet a deal of misunderstanding regarding the reasons for an Aleague salary cap.
Australia, in world terms, is a relative small commercial market that our professional sports are required to fit within. The history of our sporting codes is littered with clubs that have fallen by the wayside through being spendthrifts, in particular the over spending on player salaries.
A salary cap successfully manages to avoid this situation, as is demonstrated by the longevity of the majority of both AFL & NRL clubs, which I’m certain would otherwise not have been the case.
A salary cap by default evens out a competition with it’s limitation to advantage any club if they attempt to “buy” a competition. And in doing so by the way, put the financial viability of their own club at risk.
The only purpose of the player draft system used by the AFL is to spread talent across the league’s clubs. The salary cap is for the longevity of those clubs.
We are not alone, with major sporting leagues in the US having caps as well & it’s no coincidence they also have very similar sporting demographics.
In a nutshell, the salary cap is in fact a survival cap. It will increase at a slow pace, but the increase will never be unlimited as it’s directly aligned with the financial growth & sustainability of the league.
To what level it can grow is a question that may be answered by looking at one of the most successful leagues in the world, our own AFL. It is extremely wealthy, making the incomes of other Australian leagues look minor by comparison, but still limits it’s salary cap to what is seen as sustainable. It is presently $7 mill.
June 19th 2008 @ 7:50am
Week one winner in the Armchair Sports Writer Award » The Roar - Your Sports Opinion said | June 19th 2008 @ 7:50am | Report comment
[...] Sports Writer Award and the winning article, with 48% of the vote, was Millster’s piece The A-League, salary caps, and the good old Aussie ‘fair go’. A cracking piece of sports [...]