Do you have a problem with the afl players getting so little of the overall revenue?

[mcleod at 50 lines it up]

I remember some years back the afl players got 21% of total revenue. I also remember Andrew Demetriou and the board used to pay themselves more than the highest paid afl player, yet there was relatively little outrage from the fans.

I googled just now and it seems the players now get 28% of total revenue compared to epl players get 67%, nba 50% and nfl which get 48%. To me it is a sin the administrators are able to get away with this, what are your thoughts on it?

 

[stallon]

There are certain overheads that have to be paid, and they stay the same regardless of how much money the comp makes.

Once those are covered, then they can start divvying it up to players and other things
The NBA would have a far higher revenue to admin/essential costs ratio that they can afford to pay far more to the players than the AFL can

NRL is probably the only comparable one, I think theyre on about doing close to 40% revenue sharing soon.
Idk what would cause the differences between afl and nrl, but it shows the difference between aussie vs USA/worldwide sports

 

[catstorm]

I remember some years back the afl players got 21% of total revenue. I also remember Andrew Demetriou and the board used to pay themselves more than the highest paid afl player, yet there was relatively little outrage from the fans.

I googled just now and it seems the players now get 28% of total revenue compared to epl players get 67%, nba 50% and nfl which get 48%. To me it is a sin the administrators are able to get away with this, what are your thoughts on it?

It’s not the same thing, this money is not going to wealthy owners the AFL is a not for profit.

All money is invested into the game from the highest level all the way down to grass roots.

The surplus for the entire AFL last year was only $45 million, how much do you think that would split among more then 800 active AFL players?

So no, I have no problem with the amount players are receiving.

 

[mcleod at 50 lines it up]

There are certain overheads that have to be paid, and they stay the same regardless of how much money the comp makes.

Once those are covered, then they can start divvying it up to players and other things
The NBA would have a far higher revenue to admin/essential costs ratio that they can afford to pay far more to the players than the AFL can

NRL is probably the only comparable one, I think theyre on about doing close to 40% revenue sharing soon.
Idk what would cause the differences between afl and nrl, but it shows the difference between aussie vs USA/worldwide sports

Yup this is the argument against, but then the afl refused to open the books to the afl players association so they can see those overheads. The other area they say it goes in to is 'development'.

That's interesting about the nrl being 40%, a few years back it was also at 20% which made me wonder at the time whether there was some Australian factor at play until the afl refused to open the books and it was revealed Andrew Demetriou was paying himself more than the top player, then it was more obvious what was going on.

 

[mcleod at 50 lines it up]

It’s not the same thing, this money is not going to wealthy owners the AFL is a not for profit.

All money is invested into the game from the highest level all the way down to grass roots.

The surplus for the entire AFL last year was only $45 million, how much do you think that would split among more then 800 active AFL players?

So no, I have no problem with the amount players are receiving.

One thing I'm not sure if its still the case but the afl never let the players association see where that reinvested money actually goes, maybe that has changed.

So while I guess it is not profit, spending lets say conservatively 30% of revenue on development or reinvesting is more than the players are actually paid, to me that seems very out of whack.

 

[catstorm]

One thing I'm not sure if its still the case but the afl never let the players association see where that reinvested money actually goes, maybe that has changed.

So while I guess it is not profit, spending lets say conservatively 30% of revenue on development or reinvesting is more than the players are actually paid, to me that seems very out of whack.

the AFLs annual report is absolutely available.

• $420.8 million to AFL clubs (up from $393.8 million in 2023)
• $92.3 million to Game Development (up from $89.7 million);
• $63.7 million in running the AFLW competition (up from $57.2 million);
• $49.9 million to the AFLPA which includes contribution to player development, Injury and Hardship programs and Retirement fund (up from $41.5 million);
• $12.6 million to infrastructure comprising of elite and community facilities and contributions for stadia redevelopments (down from $14.4 million); and
• $1.3 million to corporate and social responsibility initiatives (up from $0.9 million).

The AFL reports an underlying operating surplus of $45.4 million in 2024 - SportsIndustryAU

The AFL has today forwarded its 2024 financial results to the Presidents and Chairs of the 18 clubs, in the lead-up to next month’s Annual General Meeting.

footyindustry.com

AFL players are absolutely fairly compensated for their work.

In fact despite their being nearly twice as many AFL players to NRL players the Average wage of an AFL is higher.

 

[mcleod at 50 lines it up]

the AFLs annual report is absolutely available.

• $420.8 million to AFL clubs (up from $393.8 million in 2023)
• $92.3 million to Game Development (up from $89.7 million);
• $63.7 million in running the AFLW competition (up from $57.2 million);
• $49.9 million to the AFLPA which includes contribution to player development, Injury and Hardship programs and Retirement fund (up from $41.5 million);
• $12.6 million to infrastructure comprising of elite and community facilities and contributions for stadia redevelopments (down from $14.4 million); and
• $1.3 million to corporate and social responsibility initiatives (up from $0.9 million).

The AFL reports an underlying operating surplus of $45.4 million in 2024 - SportsIndustryAU

The AFL has today forwarded its 2024 financial results to the Presidents and Chairs of the 18 clubs, in the lead-up to next month’s Annual General Meeting.

footyindustry.com

What do you think the players association is referring to when they've repeatedly said they're not been allowed to see the books?

AFL players are absolutely fairly compensated for their work.

In fact despite their being nearly twice as many AFL players to NRL players the Average wage of an AFL is higher.

Fairly based on what measure? They receive much less than they would in the free market.

 

[Teen Wolf]

Roger Goodell's salary is higher than any NFL player's btw.

The day might come when AFL players demand a greater share, which in turn might mean sacrificing some of the privileges they currently enjoy.

In the meantime, they don't have to worry about waking up one day in the middle of the season and finding out they've been traded to the other side of the country.

 

[catstorm]

What do you think the players association is referring to when they've repeatedly said they're not been allowed to see the books?


Fairly based on what measure? They receive much less than they would in the free market.

What free market?

The average wage for an AFL player is over 490k based on 2025 figures, the average not the top.

If they don’t like it that they are free to try their hand at another sport.

Cricket is about 190k, unless you are actually in the Aus team.

A league is about 150k

75k for NBL


So what “free market” are you talking about.

I know you aren’t comparing AFL to overseas markets, surely? Those are simply not comparable to the small market Australia is.

 

[mcleod at 50 lines it up]

Roger Goodell's salary is higher than any NFL player's btw.

The day might come when AFL players demand a greater share, which in turn might mean sacrificing some of the privileges they currently enjoy.

In the meantime, they don't have to worry about waking up one day in the middle of the season and finding out they've been traded to the other side of the country.

Didnt know that, interesting point, I guess I should be less offended by the administrator receiving that much, I wonder how that compares to other leagues administrators.

 

[mcleod at 50 lines it up]

What free market?

The average wage for an AFL player is over 490k based on 2025 figures, the average not the top.

If they don’t like it that they are free to try their hand at another sport.

Cricket is about 190k, unless you are actually in the Aus team.

A league is about 150k

75k for NBL


So what “free market” are you talking about.

I know you aren’t comparing AFL to overseas markets, surely? Those are simply not comparable to the small market Australia is.

In a market where you didn't have to afl siphoning money from the players to itself. I have never seen any evidence to support the size thing contributing significantly to overheads. If it does im struggling to believe it warrants the afl getting 30% of revenue that would otherwise go to the players. And I think the players association is struggling to believe it too if they repeatedly ask to see the books but are denied.

 

[catstorm]

In a market where you didn't have to afl siphoning money from the players to itself. I have never seen any evidence to support the size thing contributing significantly to overheads. If it does im struggling to believe it warrants the afl getting 30% of revenue that would otherwise go to the players. And I think the players association is struggling to believe it too if they repeatedly ask to see the books but are denied.

What the **** are you on about. Siphoning the money, to where? Youth football? AFLW? The retirement fund? Oh those ****ing monsters. I already showed you the surplus is not that large and in 2023 it was only 20 odd million. To give the players more you will need to take it from something else. So what are we losing then? So that AFL players can go from $490k to $600k.

Are you some disgruntled player trying to see if the public is on your side?

It’s the only way I can describe your nonsensical arguments. The AFL literally releases an Annual report every year. Here feel free to read it https://www.afl.com.au/annual-reports

P.S I don’t think you know what a free market is.

 

[FrustratedTiger]

In a market where you didn't have to afl siphoning money from the players to itself. I have never seen any evidence to support the size thing contributing significantly to overheads. If it does im struggling to believe it warrants the afl getting 30% of revenue that would otherwise go to the players. And I think the players association is struggling to believe it too if they repeatedly ask to see the books but are denied.

What do you mean by syphoning to itself? Do you mean its investment in community football and youth development? If they reduce their spending there, they will be at risk of losing its tax free status. Don't think they players will be getting more if the ATO gets its 30%

 

[HairyO]

the AFLs annual report is absolutely available.

• $420.8 million to AFL clubs (up from $393.8 million in 2023)
• $92.3 million to Game Development (up from $89.7 million);
• $63.7 million in running the AFLW competition (up from $57.2 million);
• $49.9 million to the AFLPA which includes contribution to player development, Injury and Hardship programs and Retirement fund (up from $41.5 million);
• $12.6 million to infrastructure comprising of elite and community facilities and contributions for stadia redevelopments (down from $14.4 million); and
• $1.3 million to corporate and social responsibility initiatives (up from $0.9 million).

The AFL reports an underlying operating surplus of $45.4 million in 2024 - SportsIndustryAU

The AFL has today forwarded its 2024 financial results to the Presidents and Chairs of the 18 clubs, in the lead-up to next month’s Annual General Meeting.

footyindustry.com

AFL players are absolutely fairly compensated for their work.

In fact despite their being nearly twice as many AFL players to NRL players the Average wage of an AFL is higher.

Lets see the top 200 AFL admin salaries and what their job roles are. I dare say we would find at least 100 of them in jobs which dont need to exist or where they are massively overpaid for what they do.

For the players it is far more open and far more ability based (other than what Essendon pays McKay) and openly reviewed by the market every couple of years (other than Williams at Carlton).

 

[BigPond101]

No, Dangerfied being head of the AFLPA is the only proof you need that it's a scumbag organisation

 

[STPer18]

No, Dangerfied being head of the AFLPA is the only proof you need that it's a scumbag organisation

*Darcy Moore

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

I remember some years back the afl players got 21% of total revenue. I also remember Andrew Demetriou and the board used to pay themselves more than the highest paid afl player, yet there was relatively little outrage from the fans.

I googled just now and it seems the players now get 28% of total revenue compared to epl players get 67%, nba 50% and nfl which get 48%. To me it is a sin the administrators are able to get away with this, what are your thoughts on it?

Those other competitions are (mostly, not sure with American Football) not also their sports' governing bodies which have set themselves up as "custodians of the game". The EPL has the FA as the governing body, drawing revenue from international games and various cups. That said, the EPL does contribute significantly into a general fund for grassroots club facilities as part of the licence agreement with the FA.
And the EPL is perhaps the least comparable, the pressure is higher to gain the best players due to having international leagues competing for talent and no salary cap. The AFL and NFL are essentially monopolies for talent in the sport. Even the NRL has more competition for players, albeit mostly from a different sport.

The AFL has pressures they largely do not, supporting state and local leagues for the health of the sport and not just the league. That is critically under-funded, imo, and the game has a problem with players whose career is over at 21 unable to earn a living at lower levels.
I would like to see the breakdown on what goes on admin expenses (probably a high proportion to run a pro league in a small population, large geography, situation) both at AFL and local body levels.

 

[Cleric]

I remember some years back the afl players got 21% of total revenue. I also remember Andrew Demetriou and the board used to pay themselves more than the highest paid afl player, yet there was relatively little outrage from the fans.

I googled just now and it seems the players now get 28% of total revenue compared to epl players get 67%, nba 50% and nfl which get 48%. To me it is a sin the administrators are able to get away with this, what are your thoughts on it?

The AFL also spends a great deal on development which the NBL and NFL doesn't, as this is carried by the colleges.
Then the AFL spends money on stadiums around Australia that the others don't, as well as funding expansion teams.

The AFL gives back to the punters and jrs more than any other org.

 

[BF Tiger]

The AFL players get enough, but like everyone would like more.

If they really thought they were getting short-changed they’d strike, but we all know the chances of that happening are Buckley’s and none.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I remember some years back the afl players got 21% of total revenue. I also remember Andrew Demetriou and the board used to pay themselves more than the highest paid afl player, yet there was relatively little outrage from the fans.

I googled just now and it seems the players now get 28% of total revenue compared to epl players get 67%, nba 50% and nfl which get 48%. To me it is a sin the administrators are able to get away with this, what are your thoughts on it?

EPL, NBA and NFL are professional leagues only.

The AFL is the controlling body of the entire sport and must fund everything from the very bottom level.

It’s not even close to a reasonable comparison.

Additionally, those leagues are out of touch for many fans due to the extortionate costs.