The past week, the limited business imagination of the Parramatta Eels CEO Dennis Fitzgerald suggested that the salary cap should be reduced. Though it did meet with some support, the idea did not go over that well.
On the opposite side, I came across a blog post that argued the salary cap, in the name of the free market, should be abolished. The bizarre thing about the post is that in pursuit of free market fundamentalism, the English Premier League is used to show that no salary cap does not affect the game. Upon this comparison the argument crumbles. It is an apples v oranges comparison that does not once examine the current state of the NRL nor the problems it needs to address.
It is not that I am opposed to the NRL having no salary cap. The trouble is that the NRL is facing more serious issues than the salary cap. In its current state, a free for all in the players market would destroy the NRL.
The NRL has a great product. Changes are needed at both the NRL administration and club level.
Roy Masters in today’s SMH has some ideas including a proper and fair slice of the broadcast revenue for the clubs.
Which brings us to the Bunnies. The SMH also has a he reckons/he reckons series of articles on the Bunnies.
Andrew Webster concentrates on the personalities and reckons Souths are in trouble.
Brad Walter looks at the financials and reckons Souths aren’t in as much peril as reports have suggested.
Walter has the more compelling argument. With the Bunnies blundering around the bottom of the comp, hope is there for the future. The Russell Crowe experiment isn’t over yet.
4 responses so far ↓
Bismark O'Measles // Jun 1, 2008 at 12:02 pm
We’re still spending money going to see them. Here’s the proof:
“http://www.flickr.com/photos/59546809@N00/2540409094/”
Shaun // Jun 1, 2008 at 2:02 pm
The face of optimism!
Jason // Jun 2, 2008 at 9:48 am
I read that bizarre argument that the cap should be abolished. The EPL has a system of relegation and promotion that keeps the bottom of the table sorta interesting, but even so it’s an unbelievable uncompetitive league – it’s really only between four teams. We don’t want that in the NRL, and besides, as you say, its apples and oranges.
It is a great product, but its suitability to television is a curse as well as a blessing. A redistribution of broadcast income would be welcome, especially for struggling clubs. If fans in Sydney could be bothered dragging themselves to games, that might help, too. On the bunnies – all those people who protested when they were axed could make them a success by turning up to games week-in, week-out.
Club Troppo » Missing Link Daily // Jul 22, 2008 at 7:33 am
[...] Cronin looks at arguments on whether the NRL salary cap should go up or down, and ponders the future of the [...]