The talks between the AFL and the AFL Players’ Association have broken down, as the $1.144 billion dollar deal made by the AFL was rejected by the AFLPA, who are demanding a ‘front-loaded’ three year Collective Bargaining Agreement instead of the five year deal offered.
A AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou delivered a strongly-worded press conference earlier this afternoon, expressing his surprise and disappointment with the AFLPA and stating in no uncertain terms that “there is no more money”, with a clear impasse between the main body and the players.
The tone of the conference implied that the AFL was close to fed up, and somewhat hurt that the offer was turned down.
Demetriou stated that the offer was a fair and generous one, and that he genuinely believed that the deal is the best offer the game can afford for players while supporting clubs, grassroots Australian football, facilities and supporters.
Demetriou elaborated that the stumbling block on the three year CBA means that players are asking for a ‘front-loaded’ deal, meaning a pay increase of 11% more in the first year of the agreement (2012), and 5% more money in the following year.
However, the AFL boss repeated that there was no more money, and could not guarantee that the rejected offer of $1.144 billion would be put forward again.
The average played stood to earn $1.38 million dollars over five years under the offer from the AFL.
The AFLPA will respond later today.
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