Australia’s top 25 players have signed a new pay deal with Cricket Australia that introduces new financial incentives to promote the sport.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a AU$2.9 million marketing fund will be shared among players each season, based on their individual market worth and the nature and number of appearances at promotional events. The marketing fund will be paid on top of their playing salary, and it will rise to AU$3.1 million in 2010-11.
Players will be rated into five tiers determined by their market value, with tier 5 players earning five times more for a promotional campaign appearance than a tier 1 player. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Australia captain Ricky Ponting would qualify as a tier 5 player.
