(CB)A - League

Good news today as the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and the Football Federation Australia (FFA) came to a historic agreement: The first A-League CBA. [FFA create bargaining agreement]

The A-League has been in operation for 3 seasons (or ‘versions’ as it is more commonly referred to), and while there have not been major problems in regards to player welfare, this document enables protection for players.

While only a summary of the CBA Summary is available to the public, it outlines many important areas, such as:

Player Payments: The Total Player Payments (TPP) will increase by $125,000 a year over the next 3 years. The base salary cap will increase by $100,000 each year.

Introduced into the cap is the recently announced ‘Under 23 Marquee Player Payment’, which is capped at $150,000 per season. This is to keep the upcoming talented Australian players playing in the A-League instead of transferring to overseas clubs.

The minimum salary for next season will be $42,000, increasing to $45,000 the next year. After these seasons, the increases are in line with the Consumer Price Index.

Injury Payments: In the event of a player being injured, they will receive their renumeration until their contract expiry, which basically insures them if they get injured. If the injury is career ending, an annual payment between one and ten years will be handed out.

Minimum one day off per week from football.

Players retain their own image rights.

Although the CBA runs till the end of the 2013 season, it will be reviewed if the TV rights (which are due to expire in 2013) are re-negotiated before this time. These rights are said to be worth much more than they are worth now, and free-to-air networks will almost certainly be interested in outbidding current holders, Foxtel.

The Summary of the A-League CBA may be found here.