Second designated player slot added for 2022-23 A-League Men’s season

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Brisbane Roar

A-League men’s clubs have been boosted by the introduction of a new rule which allows them to sign an extra star for up to $600,000.

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) have fast-tracked a second ‘designated player’ slot into the salary cap for the 2022-23 Isuzu UTE A-League season, granting clubs the ability to both lure and retain more top-shelf talent to the ALM.

It means clubs can bring in an additional player on up to $600,000 – or shift an existing player into that position to free up a marquee player spot

Last season, some clubs brought heavyweight signings in directly as designated players – including Victory centre back Roderick Miranda and Jets top scorer Beka Mikeltadze – while others moved existing marquees into the role of designated player. Perth Glory for instance were able to sign Daniel Sturridge as a marquee after making Adrian Sardinero a designated player.

The first designated player slot was included in the salary cap last season as part of a five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) struck with the Professional Footballers Association (PFA).

A designated player has an annual salary of between $300,000 and $600,000 – this sits outside the salary cap, along with the maximum of two marquee players per club whose wages also sit outside the cap.

From the 2022-23 campaign onwards, clubs will be allowed two designated players and two marquee players in a squad of 18-23 players (excluding scholarship contracts.

Originally pencilled in for the 2023-24 season, the increase of designated player slots was brought forward one season by the APL to enhance the quality of the competition, either via new signings or the retention of players already shining in the ALM.

A-Leagues commissioner Greg O’Rourke explained why the APL decided to accelerate its plan to implement the additional designated player spot in 2022-23:

“The addition of up to two designated players was something we negotiated with the PFA as part of the five-year CBA back in July last year,” O’Rourke said via KEEPUP.

“Our thought at the time was one immediately for last season and another by year three at the latest, however we feel it is the right time to accelerate this option and have brought the second player into play for next season.

“This allows clubs to target another player outside of the cap that improves the squad quality overall as there are requisite minimum investment levels required to satisfy this allowance and we look forward to many of the clubs taking up the opportunity.”

Adelaide United confirmed a new deal with 1KOMMA5° Australia

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Image credit: Adelaide United Instagram

Adelaide United confirmed a new partnership with 1KOMMA5° Australia, a global leader in decarbonisation and renewable energy, specialising in solar power, battery storage, air conditioning, heat pumps, and energy control systems.

Through this collaboration, 1KOMMA5° will serve as the official back-of-shorts sponsor for Adelaide United’s 2024/25 Isuzu Ute A-League Men’s season. Their logo will be prominently displayed on both the home and away shorts for the duration of the season.

1KOMMA5° aims to empower individuals to manage their energy usage by reimagining energy solutions. Their mission is to help people live sustainably by using solar and wind power indefinitely, encouraging energy independence over reliance on external sources.

As an innovator in renewable energy and sustainable air conditioning, 1KOMMA5° is transforming energy consumption by combining advanced technology with efficient systems for homes and businesses.

The company’s objective is to lower energy costs and move away from traditional energy sources by harnessing clean, renewable power.

The deal also improves the carbon footprint and sustainability of Adelaide United which is becoming more popular amongst football clubs.

With local expertise from Kozco Energy Group, based in South Australia and now part of 1KOMMA5°, the company continues to push its mission forward with a strong local presence supported by global leadership.

Directors Wayne Faranda and Danny Mudronja spoke on the partnership building the relationship between them and the fans.

“We’re thrilled to team up with Adelaide United. This partnership offers an excellent chance to strengthen our connection with the fans and support the Club’s efforts both on and off the field,” they said in a joint statement.

Adelaide United’s Head of Commercial, Fabrizio Petrone also commented on the partnership.

“We are delighted to welcome 1KOMMA5° as our back-of-shorts sponsor for the next two seasons. Having both a global leader and a locally rooted company on our kits is a testament to the strength of this partnership,” he said via club statement. 

In August, Adelaide United revealed their 2024/25 home kit, featuring the iconic red shorts, which have received great praise from fans.

This partnership represents Adelaide United’s mission to improve their carbon footprint whilst also securing important finances for the upcoming season and adding to their corporate portfolio with another local business.

SharkNinja named partner of new women’s Ninja A League

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Image credit: IOIO IMAGES / Shutterstock.com

SharkNinja has been confirmed as the new multi-season naming rights partner for the Women’s A league, which will be called the Ninja A-league.

SharkNinja is a tech and design company that works on a global scale, they have produced famous household products including the Ninja blenders and Shark cordless vacuum ranges.

It will also, in conjunction with the Ninja A-league, become a major new partner of the Isuzu UTE A-League.

The A-league commissioner Nick Garcia has welcomed the added investment the partnership will have.

“SharkNinja joins the A-Leagues with aligned ambitions; to grow women’s football in Australia and New Zealand, increase the opportunities and pathways for players, and help make the game more visible and accessible for our fans. We can’t wait to see where we take the Ninja A-League Women,” Nick explained in an A-league media release.

One of the future initiatives the partnership has confirmed is a new junior pass for under 16s that will give free entry for the first few rounds of the Ninja A-league to increase stadium-going fans and the family-friendly environment of the games.

This strategy has worked in the A-league before and with the huge numbers of young girls going to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Women’s A-league. This could be a necessary boost to increase the passionate youthful support that’s been crucial to the growth of Australian female football.

Furthermore, the agreement outlines media developments that will inject interest in the league including the continuation of the Dub Zone newspaper that details the weekly action of the league and in collaboration with the APL and Network Ten plan to increase the number of free-to-air games on 10 Bold for the 2024-25 season.

The number of games will increase from one to ten in a move to hopefully increase the Ninja A-league’s viewership online.

Judy Darling, the VP Commercial of SharkNinja advocates for the company’s excitement at the new partnership.

“Our mission is to positively impact people’s lives every day in every home around the world. This is exactly what our incredible Australian and Kiwi female footballers do – having become such powerful role models for the young and old alike,” Judy explained in an A-league statement.

The A-league’s need for investment means this is a welcomed announcement and could produce more cash flow for the A-league to continue developing Australian football both at the top level and down through the youth leagues.

Only time will tell if this partnership can deliver on its promises, for stakeholders and fans, however, this can be viewed as a step in the right direction.

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