Debating with ST reminded me of a pet hate of mine which is why are footballers paid such whacking amounts of cash for doing what most of us can do to some degree or other?
I know its been done before but that was £8 quid and totally unrealistic. If FIFA for instance imposed a maximum wage of say 40k per week or 2m per annum, would many or even any of the top players leave the game? Probably not. Whatelse could they do that would pay even that much? Rocket Science? Medical discoveries? Media's a possibily but would be unlikely to command 2m per year. I just wondered what your thoughts are?
Sometimes I get sick of saying this...but one more time for those at the back. It's the top 2% that are on silly wages. I used to watch St. Albans. The had a wonder striker. Barnet (at the time a profesional league club) were willing to sign him. He said no, because the £350 a week he would get at Barnet was no where near the money he got as a PE teacher, and playing semi pro. The top 2% FFS! Look at the top 2% in industry, science, music, law...earn that much? Yes! And then some! In the nineties U2 were Ireland's second biggest export...anyone moan about that? When Queen decided to become Queen plc, they were the highest paid businessmen in the UK that year. Want a top lawyer? Big bucks! But then there is no limit to how long you can go on for in those trades. Did anyone say to McCartney 'sorry mate, at 38 you are too old for music, and by the way, can we have some of that £250 million back?' Don't be daft all your life. Its a comercial world, and clubs pay what they think players are worth, and the income they will bring. Have you seen what the boys of '66 are doing now? Second hand car salesmen, after dinner speaking..and from the men who won the cup...is that what you want to see? If you have a tallent, and people will pay you for it, whats the problem?
The past is history...The future a mystery. This moment is a gift...That's why it's the present.
What about Beckhams 770 grand a week pay demand from Real Madrid.
At first it seemed ridiculous but now i really think he has a point.
If it is true that he accouts for more than £30 million pounds of the clubs revenue( form the sale of his merchandise an other stuff) then maybe he ought to get higher wages.
The odds may be one against ten......my stratergy, ten against one.
Originally posted by CupraR04: Sometimes I get sick of saying this...but one more time for those at the back. It's the top 2% that are on silly wages. I used to watch St. Albans. The had a wonder striker. Barnet (at the time a profesional league club) were willing to sign him. He said no, because the £350 a week he would get at Barnet was no where near the money he got as a PE teacher, and playing semi pro. The top 2% FFS! Look at the top 2% in industry, science, music, law...earn that much? Yes! And then some! In the nineties U2 were Ireland's second biggest export...anyone moan about that? When Queen decided to become Queen plc, they were the highest paid businessmen in the UK that year. Want a top lawyer? Big bucks! But then there is no limit to how long you can go on for in those trades. Did anyone say to McCartney 'sorry mate, at 38 you are too old for music, and by the way, can we have some of that £250 million back?' Don't be daft all your life. Its a comercial world, and clubs pay what they think players are worth, and the income they will bring. Have you seen what the boys of '66 are doing now? Second hand car salesmen, after dinner speaking..and from the men who won the cup...is that what you want to see? If you have a tallent, and people will pay you for it, whats the problem?
Not sure about some of your stats, it depends on where you draw the boundaries, i.e. 100K+, 90K? and whether your counting semi pro sides. However, I accept you have some good points, but that wasn't my question. What I'm asking is, if the relevant authorities imposed capping measures, would many players leave the game? I don't know but I suspect that the only ones who would are those coming to the end of their careers, like Shearer who's probably already got prospects in hand for jobs in media and marketing etc. Maybe Beckam as well after the world cup? Just wondered what everyone elses thoughts on the subject were?
i would welcome a salary cap depending on how the money saved was spent. If the millions saved from paying wages was spent on improving health and safety at grounds, youth development, better facilities, a fund for players whose careers are ended by injury or cheaper ticket prices then i'd be all for it.
Sadly that would only happen in a dream world, and the reality is it would simply go on corporate entertainment and the managements pockets, so i'd rather it go to the players than the fat cats.
Well I can't see too many would leave the game for big jobs in the city... And why just cap players wages? If you remember the income taxes of the seventies, and what that did to British industry, then the answer has to be 'No', wage caps don't work
The past is history...The future a mystery. This moment is a gift...That's why it's the present.
Originally posted by ScouseTiger: i would welcome a salary cap depending on how the money saved was spent. If the millions saved from paying wages was spent on improving health and safety at grounds, youth development, better facilities, a fund for players whose careers are ended by injury or cheaper ticket prices then i'd be all for it.
Sadly that would only happen in a dream world, and the reality is it would simply go on corporate entertainment and the managements pockets, so i'd rather it go to the players than the fat cats.
ST your being cynical. anyway at the big clubs the players are the FAT CATS. I do take your point and (believe it or not), I agree with Cupra on this one capping doesn't seem to work, thats why it was only a rhetorical question. But I've often wondered if falling attendances would change that scenario?
Originally posted by wackydodger: Debating with ST reminded me of a pet hate of mine which is why are footballers paid such whacking amounts of cash for doing what most of us can do to some degree or other?
I know its been done before but that was £8 quid and totally unrealistic. If FIFA for instance imposed a maximum wage of say 40k per week or 2m per annum, would many or even any of the top players leave the game? Probably not. Whatelse could they do that would pay even that much? Rocket Science? Medical discoveries? Media's a possibily but would be unlikely to command 2m per year. I just wondered what your thoughts are?
They had capping of wages in American sports (baseball, american football) till just a few years ago. I think they still do to some extent. The ticket prices or merchandice wasnt any cheaper for it though. It just meant more money went to the shareholders or owner in the singular. If it meant a genuine reduction in gate prices etc then fine by me but like that would happen.
Most top players can make a really good additional income just on product endorsement (as long as they arent at Real Madrid).
---------------------------------------------------- Touched by his noodly appendage - RAmen.
Originally posted by wackydodger: Debating with ST reminded me of a pet hate of mine which is why are footballers paid such whacking amounts of cash for doing what most of us can do to some degree or other?
I know its been done before but that was £8 quid and totally unrealistic. If FIFA for instance imposed a maximum wage of say 40k per week or 2m per annum, would many or even any of the top players leave the game? Probably not. Whatelse could they do that would pay even that much? Rocket Science? Medical discoveries? Media's a possibily but would be unlikely to command 2m per year. I just wondered what your thoughts are?
They had capping of wages in American sports (baseball, american football) till just a few years ago. I think they still do to some extent. The ticket prices or merchandice wasnt any cheaper for it though. It just meant more money went to the shareholders or owner in the singular. If it meant a genuine reduction in gate prices etc then fine by me but like that would happen.
Most top players can make a really good additional income just on product endorsement (as long as they arent at Real Madrid).
I know where your coming from and I suspect that will be the majority view. But even if it had the effect pegging gate prices for a while and as was said above, improved H&S and facilities in general it would be a worthwhile experiment. As I said previously, I am not sure that straight forward capping would work but, I'd love to see what would happen if someone tried, but surely someone could come up with a system that brought wages back to a more realistic level. Perhaps contributing to Youth teams/academys etc. As I see it, The danger that we've not covered so far is if the great players took less, the good players and even the not so good players may want more, just because they feel its available. Its a tough one but I would love to see some steps that keeps money circulating in the game.
*14th April 1999 Villa Park* 
