91原创 FC is operating financially at a level well above the norm in comparison to other Island clubs in amateur, junior or university/collegiate leagues.
The Island鈥檚 lone pro team operates on a $4 million a year budget. This season鈥檚 salary cap in the 91原创 Premier League of soccer is $1.2 million, which encompasses players and 颅coaching staff.
The CPL, entering its third season beginning May 22, released operating costs and financial details to the 91原创 Press this week for the first time.
The average player salary this season will be $40,000, which could include bonuses, housing and car allowance. Top players can make a high of $77,000 and lower-end players between $22,000 to $26,000.
While modest for Premierships in other countries, those figures are considered landmarks for 91原创 颅soccer teams not in Major League 颅Soccer.
鈥淲hile it鈥檚 not crazy by the standards of other countries, it is respectful enough to be taken seriously in the soccer world 鈥� there鈥檚 a lot of people looking at 91原创 soccer more now because of this,鈥� said 91原创 FC general manager and CEO Rob Friend, who has played at the big-money pro level in the 颅Bundesliga in Germany.
鈥淐roatia made it to the 2018 World Cup final with a similar [to CPL] domestic Premiership league with the best players going onto the bigger European leagues. Look at what the CPL has already done. Ten of the 50 players named to the 91原创 Olympic team long list for the Tokyo qualifier have come from our league,鈥� added the 32-time Canada-capped Friend.
The numbers released show CPL teams must perform off the pitch as well as on it.
鈥淭his is a business, not a charity. We must be sustainable,鈥� said Friend. 鈥淲e need revenues from our ticket sales, TV broadcast deal and sponsorships. But this is a long-term project for the good of 91原创 soccer and we believe in it.鈥�