AFL coronavirus: Cricket legend Shane Warne's solution to game's financial struggles

Sporting News

AFL coronavirus: Cricket legend Shane Warne's solution to game's financial struggles image

With the AFL suspending its season in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, many are putting their ideas forward as to how the league should fix their financial issues.

After the AFL tried to put forward a 75% pay deduction for the players during the hiatus, the players wanted 50% of their usual pay and many are unhappy with the decision.

But cricket legend and St Kilda die-hard Shane Warne believes he has found the solution by way of a 'loan system' that will hopefully protect both parties while locked in the battle over salaries.

MORE: McGuire fears AFL will 'never be the same' | Americans tune into AFL game

“What about a loan system,” Warne said on Fox Footy Live on Foxtel.

“A loan system where all the players might say ‘we’ll take a base number’ – whatever that figure is that everyone can determine and what is fair –  and then above that you can have it all. 

“‘You can have it all the AFL, but we want to be paid back in three years’ time in instalments. 

“I hope that the players and Paul Marsh come together. It’s not about looking after their own it’s about coming together and we’ve all got to come together and say ‘what’s the goal.’ Then you work backwards from there.

“The goal is to keep the AFL strong and healthy for a long period of time and if you can do that and you all work towards that then I think you’ll come out with the right answer.

“But a loan system to me is something that I think could be worthwhile or worth exploring.”

Warne's idea is probably not one that the AFL are likely to go with, but nothing can really be off the table in the uncertain times we are living in with COVID-19.

Sporting News

Sporting News Photo

The sports world explained. The Sporting News goes beyond the score to deliver the news, data, insights and entertainment that sports fans around the globe need to know.