A "breakthrough deal is close in footy's bitter pay stoush," according to Warner & Robinson of the HERALD SUN. Talks between Australian Football League execs and the AFL Players' Association have "progressed significantly in recent weeks." Central to the discussions is a "mechanism" that will guarantee AFL players "a cut of any unbudgeted industry revenues across the next six seasons." Both parties would seek to "claim victory in the salaries standoff" under the compromise agreement. Players could argue that "they secured a set percentage of some revenues, while the AFL could claim to have stood its ground in nominating a set amount it is prepared to pay the game's 817 combatants." A new pay deal is "unlikely to be struck before the start" of the preseason competition next week, but the likelihood of an unprecedented player strike is "now considered remote." Under the new model being negotiated, set player salaries would "increase beyond the new salary cap if industry revenues rise above those forecast by the AFL" (HERALD SUN, 2/8).
