Just hours before the Socceroos kicked off against Tajikistan in Dushanbe on Tuesday night, the Professional Footballers’ Association announced the Matildas would not be attending a training camp in Sydney.
It was the latest ploy to attract the public’s attention in the football union’s ongoing stoush with Football Federation Australia over a new collective bargaining agreement.
And it was a cheap one.
Less risky than the Socceroos and more emotional, the Matildas represent a team that is vastly underpaid and deserves a wage jump. Unfortunately they are the only losers in this latest battle, which is seeing Australian football descend into chaos.
The he said, she said, back-and-forth between the PFA and FFA has become infuriating. There is no bad guy or good guy in this fight, as there is not enough information to take sides. Both parties have lacked transparency throughout the process.
The PFA are demanding “unaffordable” amounts of money, the FFA are making “unacceptable” counter-offers. It is a farce.
Countless press releases have been issued in the past few months, and the only thing clear from both the FFA’s and PFA’s statements is their inability to recognise the possessive apostrophe.
Knowing that the Socceroos boycotting either of their World Cup qualifying matches against Bangladesh and Tajikistan would be completely ridiculous, the PFA chose to increase the pressure on FFA using the women’s game.
The Matildas, in solidarity, announced that they would cancel a two-game series against the US to be held later this month, thus denying them the opportunity to play against the world champions in front of 60,000 people. (That solidarity has since wavered, however.)
FFA is now in a difficult position to explain the fracas to the United States Soccer Federation, who have sold the tickets and negotiated TV rights. Yet the Matildas are losing out the most, being denied a chance to knock off the world champions, a feat of which they are more than capable.
This argument between the PFA and FFA is not about the Matildas, it never was until this week. The main debate has been over a pay increase for A-League players.
And although it would be folly to take every FFA statement as gospel truth, it is difficult to disagree with CEO David Gallop’s view that the Matildas’ interests have been “taken hostage by the PFA”.
The Matildas deserve a wage rise, and they have reportedly been offered a jump from their current $21,000 annual pay packet to $33,000, gradually over four years. They want a yearly wage of above $40,000, fair enough.
However, the Matildas are not in a position to claim that over the next four years their brand will bring in double the current revenue. FFA are not a bottomless pit, and so the money must come from somewhere.
Women in Australia, and most of the world, are still paid less than men, a ridiculous reality in the 21st century. The Matildas should earn equal amounts to the men, but the football world does not work like that.
In football, wages are based on revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, viewership and sponsorship, and the women’s game cannot match the men’s – an unfortunate truth.
Therefore a pay rise for the Matildas has to come out of the men’s revenue.
The Socceroos are reportedly asking for $1000 extra on top of their current $6500 match fee. Given the team was one of the best paid nations at last year’s FIFA World Cup, based on the group stages, the money would be better off flowing into the Matildas’ budget.
Similarly, A-League players who earn much more than their female counterparts could realistically take a small cut, or keep their wages stable, in order to help FFA give the Matildas the funds they deserve.
Yet the PFA appears to think FFA has more money than it claims, or at least that the governing body is not bringing in as much revenue as it should.
In a press release the PFA claimed the players want a “more effective club licensing system”, and a “genuine revenue sharing model to ensure all parties are incentivised to grow the game”.
Valid points, but that does not translate into higher wages. If the players received their pay rise it would be interesting to see if complaints about club mismanagement continued.
Many people are forced to work in jobs with little pay in order to pursue a career they enjoy – journalism is one of them. Others choose jobs they hate in order to afford luxuries – such as journalists that move into PR. Some people are lucky to find a perfect balance, but it is not common.
Male footballers have a pretty decent balance. But if they don’t like the pay, they can find another employer.
The PFA is correct to question football’s management in Australia, however. The Socceroos still have no major naming sponsor and A-League clubs are shredding money – $17 million in losses last season according to Gallop.
With Western Sydney Wanderers, Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory the only clubs to record a profit, and Sydney FC reportedly close to breaking even, that means the remaining six A-League clubs shared most of the $17 million.
Yes, that comes down to mismanagement, no, that does not mean the clubs should pay higher wages.
A new TV deal is also nowhere near complete, so the PFA cannot assume to know what FFA will pull in, or indeed what they should pull in. If one clause needs to be inserted into the new CBA, it is that the agreement should expire alongside the current TV deal. That way both parties know how much revenue is coming in and can start negotiations from there.
FFA are not innocent either, the PFA have valid concerns and negotiations have dragged on far too long. The players may deserve the pay increase the PFA is asking for, they may not. Fans are in the dark because not enough facts have been released.
But one certainty is that the Matildas are being used. They deserve a pay rise, undoubtedly, but they do not deserve to be used as a pawn for A-League players. Separating the men’s and women’s agreements would surely assist negotiations.
Regardless, complete transparency is what this debate requires from now on. However an outside mediator is probably necessary to fix the mess, because if the A-League does not kick off in a month’s time it is a disaster for everyone.
Cameron
Roar Guru
And yet there is another now. So no coincidence.
Realfootball
Guest
So, ladies and gentleman, this is the man who pulled the plug on the Matildas' tour of the United States.
Realfootball
Guest
Part 2. On qualifications, this is from Vivian's Linked In profile: "Education Australian Institute of Management Australian Institute of Management Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) 2014 – 2017 Swinburne Institute of Technology Sports Administration & Recreation 2000 – 2001 St Josephs College, Nudgee High School Certificate 1998 Six Sigma 'Green Belt' Training 2009 Tribeca Learning Diploma, Financial Services Shipley Asia Pacific Winning Proposal Strategies and Tender Writing 2009 SPIN Selling model training 2008 General Electric (GE) Training Socratic Selling; Influencing Others & Working in Teams 2007; Financial Planning); 2007 Stephen Covey Seven Habits of Highly Effective People 2006 AFMC Grow Core Leadership Training for Audit Staff 2006 QUT, Gardens Point Learning Performance Speed Reading and Memory Enhancement; 2006" He possesses not one tertiary qualification, and began his MBA only last year. This list says he was at Swinburne, but only for 2 years, so it can't have been a degree, and there is no mention of a degree. The players really should be looking at their leader and questioning just how it is that a young man with paper thin qualifications and experience now holds such power in an impasse that is causing untold damage.
Simoc
Guest
The USA womens captain picks up over $1.5m p.a through wages and endorsements. The team gets promoted so their marketing value is high. If the FFA were half competent they could sell the women team to a sponsor for the wages bill. The World Cup proved that the womens game is a commercially viable product. The problem is the lack of competency in the FFA administration.
Realfootball
Guest
The villain in this shambles is Adam Vivian. I include his short form resume below. It is decidedly short on weight. Of particular interest in paragraph 4, which refers to Vivian's successful role in negotiating a new CBA. Really, Adam? But, please, read on, and presumably his own words... "Adam was appointed PFA Chief Executive in April 2014 after having spent the previous two years as the PFA General Manager. Before joining the PFA in 2012 Adam gained extensive experience with Drake International, where he fulfilled a number of roles in senior management for multiple businesses under the Drake umbrella of companies. Having been mentored by Drake co-founder and Global Chairman of the Board, Bill Pollock, Adam possess strong leadership skills and a pragmatic approach to problem solving. In addition to his role as Chief Executive, Adam is also a board member with the Australian Athletes Alliance (AAA), which represents 3,500 of Australia’s professional athletes. He also holds positions as a member of the FIFPro Communications Committee, FFA Cup Advisory Committee, the PFA/FFA Strategic Committee and was the inaugural chairperson of the PFA/FFA Joint Career Committee. Since joining the PFA Adam has successfully assisted in negotiating the extension of the A-League Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a new Matildas CBA and the Socceroos CBA. Currently completing an MBA, Adam holds a Six Sigma Green Belt, CSSGB and numerous qualifications in finance and business as well as being a member of the Australian Institute of Management. Adelaide born he resides in Melbourne and is married with two sons." Note the lack of details on what he actually did at Drake international. This is not a good sign. People with real runs on the board post their scores. And it is of more than passing interest to see what it is that Drake actually do. They are recruitment agency. So who do they recruit. This from their website: Stocktakers Pickers and Packers Warehouse Staff WP Operators Account Clerks Book Keepers Data Entry Operators Secreterial and Administration Customer Service Staff Clinical Nursing Homecare Allied Health Rural Placements Permanent Medical and Health Care Staff High powered stuff. Exactly the kind of background experience that would equip someone like Adam to negotiate a new CBA for A League players, Socceroos and Matildas. Honestly, what a joke. How is this guy let anywhere near the table? He doesn't even have an MBA. He's "completing" one, which could mean anything. What does Vivian have, exactly? There is not one specific qualification listed.
Wombat
Roar Rookie
The fact is that most of the W-League entities are 'at arms length" from the A-League clubs and in some cases merely have an agreement to share the colours/emblem/name. In some cases, its further !! In many cases, the W-League operation is under the control of the local/state association who have varying levels of resources. A good number of Matildas do or have played in the US leagues or major Euro leagues however the FFA demand that they play in the W-League in order to be considered for national selection means they are required to seek early clearance from these obligations should there be "cross-over" with seasons. Unlike in male football, contracts in the women's professional game are very rarely beyond one season (especially for international players in foreign leagues). Players in US WNT, German, France & Japan DO earn reasonable sums however the greatest proportion of these are generally their central national team contracts rather than club contracts.
Realfootball
Guest
Tell you what, I wish I had his salary.
Lionheart
Guest
Now I see that FFA David Gallop might agree to the Matildas request/demand if the money comes from the A League or Socceroos. Is this guy serious? Is this the value FFA places on its players? What else does FFA spend money on? What percentage goes to player wages other expenses? Executive wages? FFA and Gallop are looking so much the deadbeats in all this, amateurs in the management game when we really need leadership, and it looks like they don't hold their primary, and only, asset (the players) in very high regard at all.
Waz
Guest
Nope. But they do for the FFA Cup.
Lionheart
Guest
What's educated about a guess when you don't know the facts? My opinion, not a guess but aware of some facts, is that the FFA CEO is misleading the ill informed about a fair wage for the Matildas.
Lionheart
Guest
Leadership Waz? I'm yet to see such a beast in the FFA. I doubt they are familiar with the term. We saw leadership at Roar in that half time of extra time grand final against Mariners. From Matt McKay. I saws it from Ockenovski (wrong spelling) Sydney FC defender, last year when they beat us at home, round 4 thereabouts. He led their defense brilliantly. Otherwise, I haven't seen too much - maybe from Millsy at MV when he led the chorus for a penalty that he knew was nothing of the sort, and he got it. But from Gallop at the FFA, no, I'm sorry, never seen it there.
Lionheart
Guest
Fair enough, but still, Gallop is misleading the public in linking Matilda wages and A League club profitability. Some dopey sports commentators have jumped on Gallops words to write off he Matilda claims.
Waz
Guest
well, whatever the cause this is now a firm test of David Gallops leadership - the FFA can either try and strong arm this into a solution, give in, or compromise. Hopefully it's compromise because my reading of this situation is the players are severely p*ssed-off and prepared to play Russian Rullet with their careers. After its sorted someone needs to figure out how that came about before it rears its ugly head again. Over to you Mr. Gallop - show us what you've got. Surprise us.
Waz
Guest
Very few if any. Mariners maybe when their new training center is up. That's part of the problem - very little none game day revenues
Waz
Guest
Clubs also have to pay Super on top of that, medical and other bonuses then dont forget they have to pay W-League wages (if they have them), and NYL wages. So it's not as simplistic as you make out - clubs are NOT losing $17m through bad management alone, that's part of it but not all!
Waz
Guest
How much are they paying the men's netball team?
brian drian
Guest
surely this is the most salient point! 'Do people realise that the players and the PFA have had wage restraint for the last 3-4 years. They have not asked for a proper pay raise in that time.'
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Hi David Gallop
AR
Guest
Agree. Making annual reports publicly available and free is a pretty basic threshold for transparency.
onside
Guest
Such a sad situation.