Read on Twitter
Top level footballer’s wages are 1) astronomical and 2) a matter of public interest
So we can’t be surprised that they come under scrutiny but they do so, in my opinion, a lot more than they should compared to far greater examples of inequality in our economy.
So we can’t be surprised that they come under scrutiny but they do so, in my opinion, a lot more than they should compared to far greater examples of inequality in our economy.
Along with the serious medical fears now facing every single person on earth this also a time of enormous financial hardship for hundreds of thousands of people up and down the country.
So the scrutiny of footballer’s wages is at it’s most heated.
So the scrutiny of footballer’s wages is at it’s most heated.
Four Premier League clubs, including the one I support, have now opted to utilise the government’s furlough scheme and/or cut wages and jobs.
Absolutely, Premier League footballers are paid absurd amounts. Absolutely, Premier League footballers can afford to, and should, take a pay cut in order to help maintain the salaries of those working for clubs who can not. (and I think that they will)
But salary alone is a fairly poor examination of inequality.
Under a full analysis, a Marxian one, we have to recognise who owns the means of production and who provides the labour.
Under this lens it’s hard to see footballers as anything other than workers.
Under a full analysis, a Marxian one, we have to recognise who owns the means of production and who provides the labour.
Under this lens it’s hard to see footballers as anything other than workers.
Footballers do earn huge sums, but they are all, both the labour, and the vast majority of the product. It is almost entirely them alone - with coaches who I will group in here - that gives football it’s material value.
Premier League footballers earn around 59% of turnover made by Premier League clubs (Spurs just 39%). A wage share greater than you will find in just about any other industry but they are still not the owners of the profit they create.
Premier League footballers are almost entirely from working class backgrounds, some from extreme poverty.
Footballers’ pro careers last 15 years in the best case scenarios (praying against injuries) and they have very few transferable skills.
Footballers’ pro careers last 15 years in the best case scenarios (praying against injuries) and they have very few transferable skills.
PL footballer’s work, talent and entertainment value is turned into profit (or in some cases PR value at a loss) via the bourgeois’ chairmanship and the super rich’s ownership.
Ownership of clubs, ownership of broadcasting, ownership of media, ownership of sponsors.
Ownership of clubs, ownership of broadcasting, ownership of media, ownership of sponsors.
I think, perhaps most importantly, it is not the footballers who have themselves made their own wages enormous. It is not these workers who have chosen to price long-time fans out of season tickets, TV viewership and even shirts.
Harry Kane owns three cars. Joe Lewis owns three superyachts.
