American football could provide model
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rugby union was yesterday invited to adopt American football's salary capping system and also to seek backing from international companies. Dan Rooney, the president of Pittsburgh Steelers, speaking at a seminar in London on the state of the game, insisted that salary capping was the only fair system to ensure that no club went broke through exorbitant wage demands, and that the wealthier clubs did not have a bottomless barrel.
"It is important to get everyone on the same wage," said Rooney, who had interrupted a busy schedule to speak at the seminar, organised by Rugby News magazine in association with The Independent.
"The way it works is that the teams pool their gross revenue in a season, and this is shared equally among all 30 teams," Rooney explained. While no maximum wage operates in the NFL there is a minimum level.
Although the salary cap appealed to the Rugby Football Union secretary, Tony Hallett, also at the seminar, he said it would be difficult, if not impossible, to enforce from a legal and practical point of view.
Rooney invited English clubs to seek overseas investment. He claimed the United Kingdom provides more visitors to Disney World in Florida than any other country. He also revealed that the Disney Corporation is in the process of building a sports complex. "You have to deal with international sponsors," he said.
"You have to align yourselves with, for example, telephone companies, breweries, banks and the leisure industry as well as major players such as the Heinz corporation, Disney and Sony. Television has opened the door to advertising and sponsors."
Whether more English clubs have the courage to follow the example of Harlequins and seek international funding - they are sponsored by NEC - remains to be seen but the invitation and opportunity exists.
Seminar report, page 29
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments