Usain Bolt!

[Insertnamehere]

Again I think there is a middle ground here that isn't being seen - I sincerely doubt that Bolt is holding off because he and his team believe he is worth more as a footballer. Team Bolt however are one of the most savvy management teams in sporting history, and they understand completely what that brand is worth. There is no way known to man that they would accept a minimum wage contract knowing full well that if Usain actually gets A-League game time, his presence would line a lot of other peoples pockets. I think the best outcome (presuming both parties actually want this to progress) is for a 2 month minimum wage contract to be signed to show faith in Bolt to continue to train, and give him NYL game time, and reassess during the January window. I feel like with team Bolt rumoured to have declined the current offer, it is that team trying to find an equitable agreement. They dont need the money, but if this is for example a 12 month contract, and he actually improves/or injuries force him getting game time later in the season, they will essentially be making big money for other parties, and thats not how major brands work.

I feel like the current offer is the Mariners showing some faith in the journey, rather than expect him to stay around indefinitely without a contract. But neither Fox nor CCM should be paying his expected wage if he is still not currently at a stage where either party can take advantage of Bolts marketing power.

And I dont know how contract can be generated with trigger clauses within a salary capped environment??

His salary would be outside the cap because he's a mature age rookie. So you could put anything you want in it.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Dream is starting to turn into a nightmare I feel.

The dream is not turning into a nightmare but it is time to wake up.

The pre season is over it is now time to get serious.

 

[Coastalraider]

His salary would be outside the cap because he's a mature age rookie. So you could put anything you want in it.

Hmm thats a fair point - I hadn't thought of that.

 

[yorkshireman]

Just heard that it's not all roses within the camp and that he isn't universally liked. (not really surprised by that in fairness)

 

[Woollybutt]

His salary would be outside the cap because he's a mature age rookie. So you could put anything you want in it.

He's not eligible for a mature age rookie contract. You have to have last played in an Australian competition and not been professional for eighteen months. Millar, Murray, and McDonald are all eligible, but Bolt wouldn't be. He'd most likely have to be a designated player.

 

[Antlion]

Again I think there is a middle ground here that isn't being seen - I sincerely doubt that Bolt is holding off because he and his team believe he is worth more as a footballer. Team Bolt however are one of the most savvy management teams in sporting history, and they understand completely what that brand is worth. There is no way known to man that they would accept a minimum wage contract knowing full well that if Usain actually gets A-League game time, his presence would line a lot of other peoples pockets. I think the best outcome (presuming both parties actually want this to progress) is for a 2 month minimum wage contract to be signed to show faith in Bolt to continue to train, and give him NYL game time, and reassess during the January window. I feel like with team Bolt rumoured to have declined the current offer, it is that team trying to find an equitable agreement. They dont need the money, but if this is for example a 12 month contract, and he actually improves/or injuries force him getting game time later in the season, they will essentially be making big money for other parties, and thats not how major brands work.

I feel like the current offer is the Mariners showing some faith in the journey, rather than expect him to stay around indefinitely without a contract. But neither Fox nor CCM should be paying his expected wage if he is still not currently at a stage where either party can take advantage of Bolts marketing power.

And I dont know how contract can be generated with trigger clauses within a salary capped environment??

I think this is a pretty good assessment

 

[turbo]

and give him NYL game time, and reassess during the January window.

I think you're right about knowing his worth as a brand but I can't help wondering if the bigger sticking point is playing NYL not A league in the short term. His football story isnt nearly as interesting or valuable if he's getting dominated by youth teams. It's expected to an extent in the top level but the whole thing could just wither away if he's poor or even average in a lower division.

 

[Luca Brasi]

Exit strategies are always neglected.

 

[localpom]

Just heard that it's not all roses within the camp and that he isn't universally liked. (not really surprised by that in fairness)

Even if he is it's still a major distraction. How Usain could ever even make the bench

I think you're right about knowing his worth as a brand but I can't help wondering if the bigger sticking point is playing NYL not A league in the short term. His football story isnt nearly as interesting or valuable if he's getting dominated by youth teams. It's expected to an extent in the top level but the whole thing could just wither away if he's poor or even average in a lower division.

I think it was expected that he would get on the bench by January. That would be an unlikely scenario with Corey, Hooley and Aspro still to come back from injury and all expected to be in matchday squads. Simply put, how is he realistically going to even get on the bench without there been a detrimental effect on the team.

 

[Big Al]

Simple double headers.
Usain and his Mate’s vs the forum each home game

 

[BrisRecky]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/n...-on-usain-bolts-comic-book-football-adventure

a rather excellent comic ..starring the Super Villian Mike Mulvey and some sprinter bloke

 

[Coastalraider]

I would have though if this was going to break up it would have happened by now - the longer the 'offer' situation goes on, the more I think they are working through options.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Usain who?

 

[pjennings]

Mike Phelan has been out of the country. I suspect Usain trusts Mike Phelan from his Man U days. When/now that Mike P is back I think we will hear something.

 

[turbo]

I would have though if this was going to break up it would have happened by now - the longer the 'offer' situation goes on, the more I think they are working through options.

Seems like it, but unless he's still training (with a team or 1 on 1) it's also setting his schedule back too and he can't really afford to lose much time. It may be they're trying to tee up the next move and being kept under wraps until it all falls in to place but then we'd potentially see a leak from his destination.

 

[Big Al]

I would have though if this was going to break up it would have happened by now - the longer the 'offer' situation goes on, the more I think they are working through options.

Sounded to me like the club was saying a 3rd party is needed and we won’t be chasing them. So up to Usain to use his connections and take the pay rate and level of football he probably thinks he is to good for

 

[Timmah]

Can this just hurry up and be over pls

 

[midfielder]

My reading of the Tea Leafs & Tarot Cards is both sides are looking for a face saving way out... For Usain to say he left because he was not paid as the best player in the league when his form indicates he should not have a contract makes him out to be a grubby money chaser... for us to say we left him go without offering him a low hanging offer makes us look like fools...

Its obvious to me and I could be wrong we nor Usain has found a sponsor otherwise the deal would have been done.

The Tea Leafs & Tarot Cards tell me it will all be over shortly... but with some new twist

 

[pjennings]

My reading of the Tea Leafs & Tarot Cards is both sides are looking for a face saving way out... For Usain to say he left because he was not paid as the best player in the league when his form indicates he should not have a contract makes him out to be a grubby money chaser... for us to say we left him go without offering him a low hanging offer makes us look like fools...

Its obvious to me and I could be wrong we nor Usain has found a sponsor otherwise the deal would have been done.

The Tea Leafs & Tarot Cards tell me it will all be over shortly... but with some new twist

The only face-saving way is for him to go to Malta, Atlanta Bold or Las Vegas Lights. These guys won't require him to get to a standard. Most likely outcome.

If he is serious about training to be a footballer he will accept our 'generous' (for his football ability) offer and train and get game time with the NYL/NPL2 side. Least likely outcome.

From the clubs POV I would think the adventure has run its race.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

I just see agents.

This is what they do.

CCM opened negotiations brilliantly and responsibly imo.

Now the agents are fighting hard.

But Usain wants to stay and play.

Or this would already be over.

As a footballer 150k is a generous offer.

But as a branding tool and marketing device, he’s worth a lot more. Tricky.

I’m thinking both parties want to make it work.