Gen Y footballer and his greed

[Hamm.0]

*Disclaimer* I understand the arguement that there is greater earning potential in other competitons, that arguement is for another thread!

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/ch ... tml?page=2
The above article has some quotes which, quite frankly, embarrass Inu, Sa and Walker. These poor guys shouldn't be talking to the media, when it is quite clear they haven't a clue what they are talking about.

Anyways;
Players need more cash? Their jobs are tough. The NRL isn't letting them reach their full potential.

Let's have a look at a players earnings over his life span.

Player X gets 8 seasons in the NRL (Not counting his QRL/NSWRL/NYC and rookie season)

He earns;
Season 1- $100000
Season 2- $100000
Season 3 (upgrade)- $200000
Season 4- $200000
Season 5- $250000
Season 6- $250000
Season 7- $250000
Season 8- $100000

So in this (albeit very short) career in the NRL, he has earnt a total of $1450000.

Now the average wage earner in Australia earns $56000.

That means the average wage earner has to work for more than 25 years to earn the same amount as the NRL player.

Next, someone will say,"what about injuries!" Well, what about them? If I get injured and can't work I have insurance, just like a footy player. It is a mute point. Some people leave school, go to Uni in the hope of landing a job in a chosen career. Some make it, some don't. Some people leave school and persue football. Some make it, some don't.

Now, players claim that they only get 10 years before their career is over. I don't doubt this, but that doesn't mean they retire and kick their heels up for the next 50 years! Something is wrong with your lifestyle if, by the time you're 30 you can't last on your earnings of $1450000! Even if after this, you went back to study something, that has to be enough coin to make you comfortable!

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

Exactly right. I am sick of them whinging about not being paid enough. They get paid to do something they love ffs! I dont HATE doing my job, but i certainly would prefer to be playing footy thats for sure.

 

[mrslong]

Well, you must admit poor Sonny was going to have a very hard time looking after the 500 members of his immediate family on only $500K a year.

 

[Kaz]

Well, you must admit poor Sonny was going to have a very hard time looking after the 500 members of his immediate family on only $500K a year.

[icon_lol1.

 

[The Brizz]

I see the point, I guess they just see how much people in other sports (AFL, English Super League, American Team Sports, European Soccer and Union players all as a general rule earn far more for a similar amount of work) some of the footballers who choose to grow up with RL don't seem to realise why these other sportsman make so much more and just seem to expect the game to bury itself to line their pockets. I think it is as much naivety as it is greed.

 

[Coxy]

Some think they should be compensated for the attention they get in the public eye.

You know, like free drinks at places that want them to party there. Free food at places that want them to eat there. Free or greatly discounted clothes and merchandise that shops just want to give them so they come back.

The fact they have doors open to them like media, public speaking, community work and business after they retire.

It's a hard life.

No, really.

 

[The Brizz]

Some think they should be compensated for the attention they get in the public eye.

You know, like free drinks at places that want them to party there. Free food at places that want them to eat there. Free or greatly discounted clothes and merchandise that shops just want to give them so they come back.

The fact they have doors open to them like media, public speaking, community work and business after they retire.

It's a hard life.

No, really.

I am with you, just think a lot of the players do not realise how farked the game is right now and how there really isn't a lot more money to go around and that raising the cap in the comp's current format would kill teams rather than save players.

 

[Coxy]

Wasn't having a go at you at all. Seriously if they want to go and chase the money and different lifestyle overseas, go for it. Hell, working and travelling from France would be awesome!

I actually don't begrudge them doing it.

My only gripe is the people doing it in underhanded means. If you get your club's blessing or you're off contract, good luck to you.

However, I think we do have to work to make the game remain attractive in Australia.

 

[Je$ter]

Lol, it's not as bad as Latrell Sprewell wanting an upgrade of his $14.6 Million per year contract because he 'has a family to feed,'

I think players should be able to earn more with 3rd party endorsments without cap penalty.

 

[mck62]

Who's on 56k per yr?? I"m lucky to be getting 30k, and I work bloody hard for that. :twisted:

 

[Dexter]

Some think they should be compensated for the attention they get in the public eye.

You know, like free drinks at places that want them to party there. Free food at places that want them to eat there. Free or greatly discounted clothes and merchandise that shops just want to give them so they come back.

The fact they have doors open to them like media, public speaking, community work and business after they retire.

It's a hard life.

No, really.

Yeah thats right, so many players get freebies and just expect it after a while. They tend to overlook these things when assessing their true income from RL.

A few years back I went skiing with a few mates after a late dump in Sept. One of the guys was playing in the NRL at the time but his side didn't make the semis, his manager organised everything including a hire car for nothing.
He got ski hire, chairlifts, parker and pants, boots and accom for nothing.

Its a hard life alright.

 

[uji]

agreed mck62.

 

[bianc]

Often wonder how the players of past years look upon these guys ey!
Back before we had the Broncs NSW had to pay a transfer fee to the QRL for players to go play in NSW.
Saints actually refused to pay one of the greats from Qld and he sat out the game for a year so he could wait for Saints and play with them.
No not Gordie icon_smile
Now they complain about 500 and go to France or SL.

I want to know where anyone earns $30,000yr. I would love to earn that much.(I don't earn near that and am really only joking cos that is shit money man.)

 

[bianc]

Most people get above the average wage. They class it so low that it is the amount of the dole. [icon_lol1.
Bludger Rocky :P

 

[Hamm.0]

I see the point, I guess they just see how much people in other sports(AFL, English Super League, American Team Sports, European Soccer and Union players) all as a general rule earn far more for a similar amount of work) some of the footballers who choose to grow up with RL don't seem to realise why these other sportsman make so much more and just seem to expect the game to bury itself to line their pockets. I think it is as much naivety as it is greed.

And that is why I'm have been so angered by dickheads like Voss, Gus, Matty Johns, The Chief, etc. in the last few weeks. I won't even attempt to dignify American and European teams, but even putting them aside, the ESL has ALWAYS had the ability to pay more than the NRL. And newsflash; the AFL has about triple the supporter base of the NRL.

These idiots (albeit, it is really only Voss, Gus and Matty Johns that seem to push the agenda) actually dare to compare, whether through straight naivety or just pure stupidity, the NRL and the NRL players earning capacity, with these other sports.

The real problem is; in the mainstream media, we have ex-footballers and footballers talking about business and economics!!! There's a reason business men don't get airtime to talk footy!

Every week we get fed a new "idea" from these croonies and the rest of News Limited media jumps on board. It is comical.

The sooner that the people with the ability to reach huge audiences realise, that all their carry on IS ONE OF THE MAIN CULPRITS IN DAMAGING THE GAME; the better!

 

[Coxy]

Yeah, it seems to be something everyone in the media overlooks.

Rugby League players now have such a choice of employment! Play in the NRL in Australia, play in the ESL in the UK, play in Rugby in Australia, NZ, UK or Europe.

The only difference between League and Soccer is that Australia's soccer talent has disappeared overseas for eternity, because the game here has been so shit, therefore no whinging. This is a new phenomenon for League, but it's one we're just going to have to get used to.

The benefit Australia does have is that the NRL competition and State of Origin are the highest quality forms of Rugby League competition in the world. So people who want to play rugby league will want to play in Australia to prove themselves. Once they've "Been there done that", then they either chase bigger money for less drama in the ESL, or they chase a new challenge, or big money and nice lifestyle and less pressure in Rugby.

The same can apply to rugby union players, it's just money isn't a temptation for them to defect to league anymore, except young players just out of school who have bugger all opportunity unless they crack a Super 14 contract. Come to league, get some money and some exposure in the media and then when you look the goods, go back to rugby and get a Super 14 contract and chase your Wallaby/All Black dream.

AFL? Well, they don't have a lot of choice do they? Their sport doesn't translate skills wise to the other major codes, and Aussie Rules is only played professionally in Australia...so where are they going to go? There's been, what, 1 example where they've gone to NFL as a kicker, but other than that...

So yes, the hysteria is over the top. The NRL CAN do things to make the game more appealing to NRL players, to make them want to stay, but given our international game is unlikely to ever rival rugby, we have focus on the strengths our game does have - and that is Origin, our NRL premiership, living in Australia...and combine that with some better money.

It's the better money issue that is tricky, and yes it may involve some fairly drastic restructuring of our sport, but it shouldn't be drastic restructuring done in kneejerk style.

 

[Professor47]

Exactly right. I am sick of them whinging about not being paid enough. They get paid to do something they love ffs! I dont HATE doing my job, but i certainly would prefer to be playing footy thats for sure.

totally disagree, why shouldn't they be earning market value and top dollar? We all know that NRL players are paid peanuts compared to some competitions out there.
If players want to chase money playing RU or ESL they should not be condemned imo. SBW walking out on a contract is a different story.
Seriously I totally disagree with the greed issue, Some people will be happy rejecting offers to play in the NRL because of the eliteness, SoO and rep jerseys and thats FINE... BUT that does not make them a better person, nor do they hold more integrity than someone who chooses to leave the NRL for more money, we are talking about people relocating elsewhere or taking a different job to earn double and triple their salary!
I have to admit I get pumped up with this issue, but being sick at these players whinging about not being paid enough? PLEASE... unless you meant, they whinge about it and demand more $$$ here in the NRL without knowing all the exact number figures... but if you're talking about whingers who leave, I say why?

 

[Professor47]

Wasn't having a go at you at all. Seriously if they want to go and chase the money and different lifestyle overseas, go for it. Hell, working and travelling from France would be awesome!

I actually don't begrudge them doing it.

My only gripe is the people doing it in underhanded means. If you get your club's blessing or you're off contract, good luck to you.

However, I think we do have to work to make the game remain attractive in Australia.

Im pumped, but EXACTLY my point!
But fans calling players traitors and ungrateful and this and that, and sorry Hammo but your original post implies that whole comparing with the Joe Blow 50k a year argument which I really, really hate. You are paid what you are worth, the Joe Blow is paid 50k because what he does is worth that much, if these NRL players can get paid much elsewhere how can you condemn/begrudge them for wanting to double/triple their salary? that is nonsense.