Salary Cap in EPL?

Discussion in 'Fulham FC News and Notes' started by jonbruns, May 16, 2008.

  1. jonbruns

    jonbruns New Member

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    Sep 26, 2007
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    Silver Spring, Maryland
    Just wanted to get a sense of what everyone thought about a salary cap in the EPL. I know if would probably never happen, but I think it would be great. Of course, it would have to be done by FIFA, otherwise players would just leave the Premiership for a league with no salary cap. But I think it would help. Say what you will about American sports, but at least teams have hope in the beginning of the season. You always see teams come from no where in the NFL. The Big Four (or Big 2?) just dominate the EPL.
    Thoughts? Sorry if this is a repost.
     
    #1
    jonbruns, May 16, 2008
  2. SteveM19

    SteveM19 New Member

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    Sep 30, 2007
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    Cleveland OH
    It won't happen because it would have to be worldwide, otherwise one league would just outspend the others and attract all the top talent. FIFA has even more members than the UN and is equally as effective. Even in the EPL you have a Russian billionaire who may or may not have put a hit on his business rivals and a former Thai prime minister who may have ordered the extrajudicial executions of drug dealers in his country. There are some shady people who own clubs in Europe.
     
    #2
    SteveM19, May 16, 2008
  3. Clevelandmo

    Clevelandmo Active Member

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    Sep 13, 2007
    yes it would be hard but not impossible. does anyone know how the EPL handles TV revenue. Is there any sharing? While they may not be able to do a salary cap they may be able do something about a minimum payroll. Doesnt the NFL have that in addition to a salary cap? If combined with revenue sharing it might keep the lower teams stronger so the whole league is more competitive.

    It is boring with the big four but I think the relegation situation more than makes up for it.
     
    #3
    Clevelandmo, May 16, 2008
  4. SCFulhamFan

    SCFulhamFan Active Member

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    Aug 5, 2006
    No way it would ever work, but good thought. It would do more harm then good at this point IMO. If you need an example of the little guys getting a chance, just look at the FA Cup this year.
     
    #4
    SCFulhamFan, May 16, 2008
  5. HatterDon

    HatterDon Moderator

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    Mo, there was a salary cap in the old Football League, and it was busted by our own Johnny Haynes. Imagine Fulham paying the highest wages in football!

    Here's the thing: salary caps require collusion and restraint of trade. These things, like racial segregation or reserve clauses in sports leagues, are only possible where a marriage of convenience exists between the league and the appropriate government. Salary caps imposed on clubs or leagues will never fly in the major world leagues because FIFA and the various nations of Europe and South America will recognize them for what they are, an illegal means to restrict the earning power of athletes. The market should decide what a player gets paid, not an arbitrary board.

    MLS is different, since basically the league owns the players. Should MLS get the stature of say, the NHL, the cap will change somewhat, but probably will be more like the salary caps in football and basketball -- that is, the team can go over the max salary, they just have to pay a luxury tax as a result.

    Oh, and one more thing about a salary cap and the EPL ... there'd be no quality English players in the top flight. They're too expensive. You'd see a lot of Africans and Americans, though.
     
    #5
    HatterDon, May 16, 2008
  6. jonbruns

    jonbruns New Member

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    Sep 26, 2007
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    Silver Spring, Maryland
    It would obviously have to be worldwide. That goes without saying. Otherwise, players would flee. What about this idea. Make a Super-Euro league. Basically, take the Champions league, and make that its own league. You could even still have relegation in and out of the Sure Euro league. I dont know maybe Im crazy. I just happen to agree with Keegan. Not that the EPL is boring at all, but the gap is widening.
     
    #6
    jonbruns, May 16, 2008
  7. dcheather

    dcheather Administrator

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2005
    what he said...but not sure about there being no quality English players. I assume the Premier League (if there was a salary cap) would do everything in it's power to make it attractive enough to top English players. Maybe even make it linked to National team call-ups. Maybe not a mandate, but a little wink and strong nudge.
     
    #7
    dcheather, May 16, 2008
  8. richardhkirkando

    richardhkirkando New Member

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    Madison, WI
    The salary cap is one of the biggest things I hate about the NFL. No thanks.
     
    #8
    richardhkirkando, May 16, 2008
  9. Clevelandmo

    Clevelandmo Active Member

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    Sep 13, 2007
    We just aren't in sync today. If you read what I said I was pretty much writing off the idea of a salary cap, and raising the idea of a minimum pay roll. I also asked a few questions.
     
    #9
    Clevelandmo, May 16, 2008
  10. HatterDon

    HatterDon Moderator

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    Peoples Republic of South Texas
    you're right, Mo. I should have started that off with "jon" NOT "Mo."

    I blame old age [that would be mine, of course]. I think I'll take the rest of the day off from FUSA and get myself together. I'm sure my boss would approve!
     
    #10
    HatterDon, May 16, 2008

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