Nick Bendel
Nothing for something: The A-League is losing its brightest stars and getting nothing in return
April 29th 2008 11:07
If The World Game website is to be believed, Nathan Burns will soon be walking out of Adelaide United and signing for Norway’s SK Brann, despite having just agreed a contract extension.
How is it that the 19 year old, who is arguably Australian football’s most exciting prospect, could be lost to the A-League, without his club or the competition receiving any recompense? How is it that the local game can invest considerable time and money in a player, only for a foreign competition to reap the benefits? The reason is that Burns apparently has a get-out clause in his contract.
Whether the story is true or not, it once again raises the issue of the A-League’s contracting situation. Because talented footballers are always eager to test themselves (and enrich themselves) in more competitive leagues abroad, they make sure to sign conditional contracts, or short-term contracts, to facilitate their move. And the domestic clubs have little choice but to agree; if, for example, the Reds had refused to accede to Burns’s get-out clause, there is no doubt that at least one of their seven rivals would have been prepared to do so. Stuart Musialik’s recent transfer, from Newcastle United to Sydney FC, is a perfect example. While the Jets were not prepared to include a get-out clause in his contract, the FC was, and so the local boy relocated south. The Jets got nothing- and when Musialik makes his inevitable move overseas, neither will Sydney. And thus another talented footballer will be developed at Australia’s expense, for somebody else’s gain.
What, then, is the solution? One possibility is following the lead of Major League Soccer, which centrally contracts its players. This means that if SK Brann wanted to sign an American, they would have to pay a transfer fee to the MLS. By implementing such a system, the departure of rising stars like Nathan Burns- and also Mark Milligan and Ruben Zadkovich, who recently walked out of Sydney FC- could actually be of some benefit to the A-League.
Furthermore, it would prevent those players who are contracted being snapped up for a pittance. When Sheffield United expressed an interest in David Carney last year, his head was turned, placing the FC in an extremely poor negotiating position. With the Sydney midfielder desperate for a deal to be done and with the club unwilling to keep a disgruntled player on its roster, the Blades were able to get their man for a paltry $125,000. If Carney had been centrally contracted, however, Sheffield United would not have had such a strong hand, as the A-League would not cared about alienating him.
That is merely one suggestion; perhaps there are others being considered by those running the game. The important thing is that when up-and-comers such as Mark Bridge, Bruce Djite, Robbie Kruse, Danny Vukovic, Nicky Ward, Michael Zullo, and Musialik eventually take their talents abroad, a system has been put in place allowing Australia to get something in return.
How is it that the 19 year old, who is arguably Australian football’s most exciting prospect, could be lost to the A-League, without his club or the competition receiving any recompense? How is it that the local game can invest considerable time and money in a player, only for a foreign competition to reap the benefits? The reason is that Burns apparently has a get-out clause in his contract.
Whether the story is true or not, it once again raises the issue of the A-League’s contracting situation. Because talented footballers are always eager to test themselves (and enrich themselves) in more competitive leagues abroad, they make sure to sign conditional contracts, or short-term contracts, to facilitate their move. And the domestic clubs have little choice but to agree; if, for example, the Reds had refused to accede to Burns’s get-out clause, there is no doubt that at least one of their seven rivals would have been prepared to do so. Stuart Musialik’s recent transfer, from Newcastle United to Sydney FC, is a perfect example. While the Jets were not prepared to include a get-out clause in his contract, the FC was, and so the local boy relocated south. The Jets got nothing- and when Musialik makes his inevitable move overseas, neither will Sydney. And thus another talented footballer will be developed at Australia’s expense, for somebody else’s gain.
What, then, is the solution? One possibility is following the lead of Major League Soccer, which centrally contracts its players. This means that if SK Brann wanted to sign an American, they would have to pay a transfer fee to the MLS. By implementing such a system, the departure of rising stars like Nathan Burns- and also Mark Milligan and Ruben Zadkovich, who recently walked out of Sydney FC- could actually be of some benefit to the A-League.
Furthermore, it would prevent those players who are contracted being snapped up for a pittance. When Sheffield United expressed an interest in David Carney last year, his head was turned, placing the FC in an extremely poor negotiating position. With the Sydney midfielder desperate for a deal to be done and with the club unwilling to keep a disgruntled player on its roster, the Blades were able to get their man for a paltry $125,000. If Carney had been centrally contracted, however, Sheffield United would not have had such a strong hand, as the A-League would not cared about alienating him.
That is merely one suggestion; perhaps there are others being considered by those running the game. The important thing is that when up-and-comers such as Mark Bridge, Bruce Djite, Robbie Kruse, Danny Vukovic, Nicky Ward, Michael Zullo, and Musialik eventually take their talents abroad, a system has been put in place allowing Australia to get something in return.
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Comment by Harry
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Zoo Parent
I'm surprised to see that Nathan Burns is going to Norway. I thought he would be a good prospect for making into a major European league.
Comment by Fourth Substitute