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Solving soccer's cash crisis Posted: Wednesday July 31, 2002 12:09 PMUpdated: Friday August 16, 2002 7:58 AM My last article touched on the financial crisis currently hitting the world game. Everywhere, we hear about clubs suffering from economic instability. Maybe this all means that a limit has been reached on how much players can earn.
What, if anything, can be done to cap the salaries players receive in the world's top leagues? Salaries have spiralled to unrealistic levels in recent years, wouldn't you agree?
Yes, I would agree, Chris. For one man to earn between US$50,000 and US$100,000 a week is totally absurd. A possible solution would be to have performance-based salaries. There would be a base salary cap for every team, and then the star players could earn more by scoring, assisting, tackling or saving more than other players. That would be a fair way to distinguish who makes how much. Honestly, I believe we could see a system like this come into effect in the next couple of seasons.
Does it make sense for Manchester United to buy Rio Ferdinand for US$47 million?
Ponnareay, I think it does not. You should be able to buy a whole team for that much. Rio is an exceptional defender and he proved it at the World Cup, but that is just too much money to spend on one player -- especially someone who is not going to win a game for you.
I have an impression that the salary of the soccer players is not that high, it is the transfer fee that is often ridiculous. Is it possible that we will see a system where it is transfer fee that is reduced instead of salary? Or is this wishful thinking. Or are my impressions even correct?
I understand where you are coming from. In the United States there is no transfer fee and the market works on a "trade system." Therefore, the only thing franchises have to worry about is the yearly salary of a player. The top stars in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL make around 15-20 million buckaronis a season, so if you compare those salaries with some of the top footballers, who make five or six mill, they are obviously far greater. The difference is that in the football world clubs have to buy players, so a lot of money is spent on the transfer fee and cannot go to salaries. One more thing you have to consider is that there is a lot more advertising money in the U.S., where the population is over 250 million, and where there are only 70 or 80 professional teams. In Europe, there is a professional club on every corner.
Which of Europe's leagues is the most difficult?
Tough question Mark, but I believe Spain's La Liga is the most competitive league in the world. Here are some reasons why: There has been a different champion in each of the last four seasons (Valencia, Real Madrid, Deportivo, Barcelona); over that period of time the league champion has lost an average of seven games every season, which is more than the other top leagues in the continent; and I believe that in Spain you always see the largest number of upsets year in and year out, which means that on a given day anyone can beat anyone else.
How was Rivaldo a free agent if he still had some time left on his contract?
Rashid, there was a mutual agreement between Rivaldo and Barcelona to terminate his contract, making him a free player. It was a strange situation considering he is still one of the best forwards around. But the fact was that new coach Louis van Gaal and the player couldn't stand each other, so they thought it was best to part ways. What I can't understand is how Barcelona president Joan Gaspart allowed van Gaal to take this kind of decision. He justified it by saying they would be saving US$6 million this season by not having to pay his contract. Pedro Pinto is an anchor for World Sport, the international sports show that airs on CNN International. |
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