Saxoman wrote:Would be true freedom for players though wouldn't it? Obviously they'd have to take care of their own training, medical etc, but their pay would be absolutely astronomical!
Interesting thinking, Saxo.... but, could it work in a team game?
Imagine all the players being available every week in a "footballer auction room." Imagine that the Premier League has decided that every team must buy 18 players for every game. And, imagine that the teams are told that they must submitted sealed bids for every player they would like to play for them for the next game. So, the envelopes are opened and every team bids for every player - and the player is matched to the team submitting the top bid for that player - followed by eliminating bids from teams that have reached their limit of 18 players...
So, 20 teams, 360 players (let's assume that each team ends up with the right number of players for a squad of 18, including 2 keepers, and right number of defenders, midfield and forwards) - but any players above 360 don't get picked and don't get paid - and, of course, if you are injured, you won't receive any bids.
So, do the players that haven't been picked offer to play for less money? do they offer their services for more than 1 game?
And, how do the teams get on? every week introducing a random group of 18 players to play against the wealthiest club, who has always managed to sign the "top 18 players."
Not really much of a league, not really much competition. Even Neymar might decide he'd like to know who he is playing with week after week...
So, we are somewhere between your "true freedom for players" and the 1960s "maximum wage" and "club ownership of player registrations."
And, the money wheel keeps on spinning....