The furlough and the bonus.
(Source: theconversation.com)Tottenham's annual wage bill for players and management is in the region of £99m ($AU200m) . Champions Manchester City received US $157 million. A 20 percent pay cut and a Government hand-out for the little people, a £7million (NZD 14 million) bonanza for the executive breaking the bad news.So why did Tottenham feel the need to move now? A 20 percent pay cut and a Government hand-out for the little people, a £7million ($AU14 million) bonanza for the executive breaking the bad news.US $814 - The cost of an average season-ticket in the Premier League. The salaries are the going rate in an entertainment industry that generates billions; and to a man those at elite level acknowledge being well rewarded.US $50,000 per week - The average salary of a Premier League footballer. (Source: theconversation.com)12 million - The potential audience for every Premier League game, greatly exceeding that of the Italian Serie A (4.5 mn) and Spain’s La Liga (2.2 mn). (Source: theconversation.com)A far greater reckoning is on the horizon. It points to a far greater crisis, one in which the club fears it cannot afford anything like its commitment to player salaries.
The salaries are the going rate in an entertainment industry that generates billions; and to a man those at elite level acknowledge being well rewarded.US $50,000 per week - The average salary of a Premier League footballer. Daniel Levy, Tottenham's chairman, may not have been an outlier in his reaction to the coronavirus crisis, but the juxtaposition was little short of appalling. (Source: theconversation.com)900,000 - Number of tourists who attended a football game during visits to Britain in the previous year. In this, of all seasons, he had received an additional £3m ($AU6m) for the successful completion of the club's new stadium.
Daniel Levy, Tottenham's chairman, may not have been an outlier in his reaction to the coronavirus crisis, but the juxtaposition was little short of appalling.Like us on Facebook to see similar storiesThe timing could not have been worse. Could it be that, for Tottenham and many other clubs — Newcastle did this 24 hours earlier, remember, and many are sure to follow — cutting the wages of the lowest paid is the financial equivalent of rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic.Harry Kane's weekly wage is a ball park £200,000 ($AU404,605); 2.77 per cent of that is £5,540 ($AU11,208). Back in 1992, it was just US $2,807. He has previously worked for The Times, News of the World, Jewish Chronicle, Daily Express, The Sun and Sunday People.Samuel is an occasional guest on the Sunday Supplement television show. (Source: theconversation.com)US $480,000 - Wayne Rooney’s per week wages at Manchester United that made him the highest paid Premier League footballer when he signed a contract extension in February 2014. (Source: theconversation.com) Would it not have been possible in principle to ask the players if they would agree to such a low impact deduction — first establishing it would not equate to a free transfer — prior to more general negotiations on Friday?Even if all of Tottenham's 550 non-playing employees earned £30,000 ($AU60,691) each and were paid in full, a tax on playing staff salaries of 2.77 percent would cover that.For what of Levy and his extra-ordinary salary? At Barcelona, you can buy one for as little as US $165.
That little illusion had been swiftly shattered. (Source: BBC)Only now, at the very moment Tottenham's lowest paid staff were wondering how to get by on 20 percent less, Levy's reward appeared utterly incongruous.So why is Levy hanging on the meeting with the PFA? This information is known only by the same person or … If every Tottenham employee claimed the maximum Government furlough it would amount to £1.375m ($AU2.782m) each month.Lop so much as £50 ($AU101) off Harry Kane's £200,000 ($AU404,664) a week, and he can leave for nothing. Levy felt he needed its blessing, and the backing of his 19 Premier League allies, too.So why doesn't it? Could it be that, for Tottenham and many other clubs — Newcastle did this 24 hours earlier, remember, and many are sure to follow — cutting the wages of the lowest paid is the financial equivalent of rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic.Harry Kane's weekly wage is a ball park £200,000 ($AU404,605); 2.77 per cent of that is £5,540 ($AU11,208). Of this US $3.2 billion comes from overseas rights. Wages cannot be cut while under contract.More than US $3 billion - Combined amount spent by Sheikh Mansour (Manchester City owner since 2008) and Roman Abramovich (pictured, Chelsea owner since 2003). Back in 1992, it was just US $2,807. 40 percent of them came simply to watch football. (Source: theconversation.com)Footballers get a bad rap over their salaries, as if they are greedy or unaware.