The AFL and the AFL Players’ Association have concluded their scheduled mid-term review of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The review has seen a number of refinements agreed to, resulting in variations to the CBA effective from 1 November 2014. These include:
- The Total Player Payment Limit for each club will increase by $150,000 for 2015 and 2016, resulting in:
- TPP for 2015 being $10,071 million; and
- TPP for 2016 being $10,36 million;
- Clubs will be allowed to spend more than 100% of the TPP and ASA limits (combined) if in any of the preceding two years the club spent below 100% of the combined limit; the permitted amount of overspend is commensurate with the level of underspend in the relevant preceding period - for instance, if a club was $500k below the combined limit in 2015, they can spend up to $500k over the combined limits across 2016 and 2017; the overspend amount in any given year permits a Club to spend up to a maximum of 105% of the combined limit in that year;
- The AFL has agreed to contribute an extra $7 million towards the existing AFL Players’ Player Retirement Fund;
- The AFL will provide $1 million to be used for the establishment of a Lifetime Health Care Fund over the next two years to provide health care to players after their careers have finished;
- The provision of short term income protection for players who are delisted due to a football injury; and
- AFL broadcasters will be permitted to use player images at no cost to promote their football coverage and the game.
AFL General Counsel, Andrew Dillon, said the mid-term review of the CBA had achieved its objective to ensure Australian Football remains the sporting career of choice for this country’s most talented athletes.
“Negotiations were highly constructive and the review has enhanced the benefits available for both present and past AFL players,” Mr Dillon said.
Acting AFLPA CEO Ian Prendergast said, “Following the substantial gains achieved when the current CBA was negotiated in 2011, we have been able to negotiate further benefits to players as we continue the push towards delivering a truly first class sporting workplace.”
Mr Dillon thanked former AFLPA CEO Matt Finnis along with Ian Prendergast for their work on the mid-term review and also acknowledged and thanked Ameet Baines of St Kilda, Andrew McKay of Carlton and Dan Richardson of Richmond for their assistance in negotiations with the AFLPA.
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