Presidents at odds as clubs brace for salary cap squeeze

THE decision to cut TSL player salary caps by more than 15 per cent has been labelled as a way of “preventing clubs from being aspirational” by one club president, while others have welcomed the move.

AFL Tasmania recently informed TSL clubs their annual pool of player funds would next year be reduced to $80,000 from $95,000. The reduction is a measure aimed at cushioning the financial blow the pandemic has had on all seven clubs.

North Hobart Football Club president Craig Martin said the reduction would make it“harder than ever to differentiate the TSL with the competitions that sit under it”.

“It’ s a bad decision ,” he said.

“An $80,000 salary isa pal try cap compared to mainland leagues.

“I think the TSL had one of its best years ever in 2020 – the competition evened itself out.

“But the salary reduction prevents clubs from being as aspiration alas they can be .”

Glenorchy Football Club president John Kay also criticised the cuts saying “we need to maintain the status of the league ”. But Lauderdale Football Cub president Julie Kay said the cut in player payments was a “responsible one”.

“Our view is that we need to keep things in balance given there’s been a 40 per cent cut in funding from the AFL, so It’ sustainable to expect to maintain the same level of salary ,” she said.

AFL Tasmania head of football Dam ian Gill said it would be unreasonable to expect clubs to spend the same amount on players next year because of the impact sofa global pandemic.

“As the manager soft he competition, we have to form a view on what is best for the TSL and we have a responsibility to consider the position of all clubs participating,” he said.