"Football Federation Australia and the PFA are currently undertaking discussions around the next Collective Bargaining Agreement with a common goal of sustaining the continued growth of football for all stakeholders, including our professional footballers. The salary cap is a crucial pillar of the sustainability of the Hyundai A-League as the game continues to grow and the fundamental components of the salary cap are not something we anticipate changing," an FFA spokesman said. It's widely expected a cap will remain in place in some form, but the nuts and bolts will be analysed and subjected to progressive changes. Clubs are expecting a cash windfall of about $5 million each per season – double the current salary cap and broadcast share – with a total of $60 million to be shared among potentially 12 clubs in an expanded competition. On the field, the biggest difference could be in those who are on it. More money, better imports and youth players benefiting from a structure that encourages long-term planning could be the immediate differences. "There are certainly some challenges but the FFA and the clubs should be congratulated for where the game is at after 10 years," the PFA's Brendan Schwab said. "We now have an opportunity to negotiate the best economic model in world football so that we can achieve growth, ensure all teams are competitive, develop outstanding players, attract players of international quality, ensure the sustainability of our clubs and invest in the continued development of the game at all levels."

The present system of a "soft" salary cap promoted competitiveness of all teams over the past 10 years but has not been without its problems. The treatment of unwanted players frozen out of squads, which occurred as recently as last month at Western Sydney Wanderers is one, the lack of long-term player development another. Perth Glory are alleged to have breached salary caps due to failure to report benefits, potentially undermining the system and in spite of the cost certainty, clubs still struggle financially. "We're concerned about the way it encourages clubs to treat players, we're concerned about short-term contracting and the way it might undermine the development of players in the medium to long term," Schwab said. "Also, we've continued to have problems with the economic viability of some clubs and some clubs unable to meet their obligations to players. Those problems shouldn't be there if the salary cap is effective." The goal of improving conditions and the standard of football hinges on raising the lowest conditions on offer to players, the PFA said.

"Minimum standards, be they the minimum wage, minimum medical standards or the minimum collective payroll, will be a very important part of the negotiations as they are essential to achieving quality and growth," Schwab said. "Player development and wellbeing is a top priority for the PFA. The career path remains short term and precarious. The game is building the resources now so that it can invest in the requisite player development, transition and retirement programs. The PFA is committed to developing the players both as people and as footballers." Potential new salary-cap models based on revenue sharing could be put forward to the FFA as early as this week, which include a porous salary-cap limit with a raised minimum expenditure for each club. The current requirements are that clubs must spend 85 per cent of the $2.55 million cap and significantly lifting that limit will be at the forefront of negotiations. Another potential model could see clubs taxed for spending over a set limit with excess funds divided among the other teams, allowing ambition to flourish but not at the expense of rivals. The marquee system will remain in place but eligibility could be changed due to new finances. Issues of contract termination regulations, allowances and player development exemptions will also be assessed and club prize money for league finishes another potential benefactor of the expected TV rights deal.

Loading "We need to have a very serious discussion whether the salary cap is effective in achieving its stated objectives. Those objectives are growth, competitive balance, the economic viability of the clubs, the international competitiveness of Australian football and the development and wellbeing of the players," Schwab said. The A-League is on the cusp of entering a new era of financial stability and with unrivalled revenue on offer, there's never been a more exciting time to assess the most influential regulations imposed on clubs.