The AFLPA has reportedly agreed to a 50% pay cut for the next two months after the season was suspended.
The AFL stopped their season on Sunday after just one round, with the COVID-19 outbreak putting Australia on the brink of lockdown.
With the league looking to reduce its costs and ensure their future, CEO Gillion McLachlan announced a range of cost-cutting measures, including an immediate 20% reduction of the salaries of the executive staff.
This gesture is set to be followed by the playing roster, with senior players, including captains and player agents on Monday night, offering to reduce their pay until at least May 31.
If the deal goes through, wages will be slashed in April and May after they receive their income for March.
Channel Seven reporter Tom Browne broke the news on Talking Footy, revealing that they are set to take their position to the AFL for their approval.
“The players have just agreed for their suggestion of a 50% pay cut, that’s the Players Association's position,” Browne said.
“They will now have to put that to the AFL.
“The players are prepared to reassess that situation in eight weeks time if we play football
“The AFL will suspend funding for well-being, support for past players and the retirement fund as part of the AFL’s cuts to the Players Association across a range of measures.”
AFL players have agreed to a 50% pay cut, per @tombrowne7#TalkingFooty pic.twitter.com/82ugcPJHSP
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 23, 2020
However, the AFL will reportedly seek a higher cut from the Players Assocation as they attempt to reduce costs.
“The starting point is 50% from the players and I think the AFL is pushing for substantially more,” he believed.
“It’s obviously a massive advancement on the AFL Players messaging last week, which was 20%.
“My understanding is that it will be a uniform cut."