Australian Football League women's players reached a "historic agreement" ahead of their inaugural season, according to Walsh & Denham of THE AUSTRALIAN. AFL Players Association CEO Paul Marsh "hailed the agreement" in relation to the women’s league, which will begin with an eight-week season in February. Players competing in the AFL women’s league "will get an increase in base payments across the board from initial negotiations." The eight-team league will share player payments totaling A$2.28M ($1.73M) next year and there will be a minimum increase of 6% competition-wide for '18. An original base deal of A$5,000 ($3,800) has been increased to A$8,500 ($6,500). Second-tier footballers have received a A$2,000 ($1,500) boost to A$12,000 ($9,100). Marquee players will be paid A$27,000 ($20,500), up by A$2,000, which includes a A$10,000 ($7,600) ambassador contract. There will be a per diem of A$80 ($60.86) for every night spent away from home and "relocation expenses will be picked up by the AFL for marquee and priority signings" for West Australian players moving to SA, Queensland or NSW. Marsh believes "an important step has been taken for the fledgling competition." He said, "It’s (our) belief that we’ve now achieved an acceptable outcome with regards to the pay structure and terms and conditions included in the standard playing contract" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 11/11).
