Organizations don’t want to reveal how much their players get paid because it reduces the bargaining power they have when negotiating for other players. https://twitter.com/Bubzkji/status/1265733560910184451

Like, genuinely, I still don’t get why players don’t reveal salary. I’ve heard concerns that players don’t want the public to know because it’s;

1. Private
2. Can be used to make fun of players, calling them overpaid
3. People not understanding *why* they get paid that much

Those are valid concerns and something I understand, but also something that exists in all forms of sports. In esports, knowing how much players get paid is also important when things shift so much. If all information is available, then we can have an efficient marketplace.

It’s efficient with players entering the scene knowing how much they should expect to earn, then what they could potentially earn if they reach certain levels. Players can identify what a fair-market value for themselves is, and then seek that out.

Orgs always want to pay the lowest amount possible per player while maximizing skill. The cost-benefit analysis of identifying players is important and factors in for organizations that team-build efficiently and frugally (most don’t, which is dumb).

Without players correctly knowing what is “fair value” for themselves, organizations can extend contract offers below the efficient price and essentially “gain” on an asset that produces higher, yet cost them below market rate.

With players knowing what everyone makes, this doesn’t happen. Organizations will be forced to pay players what the market dictates (which can also be inefficient if salaries are inflated/deflated due to rogue actors or other market events!) and cannot undercut on salaries.

The bargaining power resides in organizations who are much more likely to talk to one another and understand what the appropriate market-value is, compared to players who don’t always talk to every single player and could possess outdated or incorrect information.

Public databases regulated by a Players Association/League Official are not inefficient and will provide the true value. With that information, the market will eventually correct and become more efficient. But this will likely benefit the players, not the orgs.

So yeah,

Rise up. Release what you get paid. Create efficient markets. This helps players more than it will ever hurt them.