COVID-19: Premiership salary decision needs to be grounded in the real world - expert comment
27 March 2020
Professor Adrian Bell, a sports economist and Research Dean for Prosperity and Resilience at the University of Reading, said:
"The Premier League is mulling its economic options for the rest of the season, either agreeing to a cut in player salaries or deferring them. They seem to be going to make a joint decision on this as a league with the PFA. Other staff in those football clubs are likely to not factor in this decision as they are paid so little - probably collectively less than one player for instance.
"This shows the problem the game is facing and is a symptom that will be cascaded down all the leagues now. If the premier league is finding it hard to cope, how will the rest of the game?
"The idea of deferring salary is commendable but misguided. When the whole world is going through enormous challenges with some facing short term salary loss and longer term unemployment - the idea they are only deferring their vast salaries seems like an empty gesture.
"A salary cut - even if temporary whilst we are under lock down - would do much more to cement the game's image as being aligned with the thoughts and feelings of the country at large. In terms of other leagues, it seems Barcelona is looking at an 70% salary cut. A cut and deferral are not the same thing!"