Players oppose pay scrutiny

AFL Players’ Association boss Paul Marsh wouldn’t have a problem with elite footballers’ wages being made public similar to professional American sports leagues.

Most players are against the idea to follow the lead of the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL due to the likelihood of increased public scrutiny.

“I would have no issue with that,” Marsh told AFL Trade Radio. “The players themselves do have an issue with it.”

The AFLPA CEO acknowledged the players’ concerns over potential mental health ramifications but suggested the approach might prove beneficial to their hip pocket.

“What we’ve seen in sports around the world is if this happens — and this is a careful- what-you-wish-for situation — is that player wages will go up significantly,” Marsh said.

“Once everyone knows what everyone is getting, the market for players (will increase). Players at the moment — they’ve got enough pressure on them. Mental health’s our biggest issue. That’ll be the flow-on effect.”

Marsh said it was time for the AFL to consider the merits of airing individual contracts publicly and the priorities of the players would largely dictate any future change.

“The industry probably needs to have a mature debate on that one,” he said. “It’s an interesting one. If (the players) want more money, releasing this information will lead to that.”