Players from German soccer giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have agreed to a 20 per cent pay cut while their matches are suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to tabloid newspaper Bild.

The German outlet reports that the two clubs held talks on 23rd March to decide how best to cope while the Bundesliga remains postponed.

Now it appears Dortmund playing staff have accepted a reduction to their wages by as much as 20 per cent as a result of the current climate. Bild adds that another proposal in Monday’s meeting was to reduce pay by ten per cent if the league resumes behind closed doors.

It comes after Dortmund boss Lucien Favre, who earns approximately €4.5 million (US$4.8 million) per year, said he would forego a portion of his salary while the Bundesliga is suspended.

Defending champions Bayern look set to follow suit with their own 20 per cent pay cut. Chiefs at the Bavarian club, including Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic, reportedly agreed to the package during talks with leading players such as Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, Robert Lewandowski, David Alaba, Joshua Kimmich and Thiago.

According to Bild, fellow Bundesliga club Schalke will follow Bayern and Dortmund’s lead in the coming days.

The teams are one of an increasing number of sports clubs, franchises and properties looking to cut salary expenditure and save jobs as the Covid-19 outbreak continues to decimate the sporting calendar.

Spanish soccer champions Barcelona are in talks with their highest-earning players to cut their wages, according to Marca. According to reports in Spain, the cuts would also cover their women's team and their basketball team.

English second-tier club Birmingham City have since become the first Championship side to ask players to take wage deferrals. Those earning more than UK£6,000 (US$7,100) per week will have to accept a 50 per cent pay cut to their pay for the next four months. The squad will be paid back in stages once the season resumes.

Away from soccer, US stock car racing series Nascar is temporarily cutting the pay of league office employees who take home more than US$75,000 a year by 25 per cent, effective 1st April. The National Hockey League (NHL) has joined them in this, though the measures are set to be across the board.

In rugby, clubs across England’s top-tier Premiership have announced salary reductions. The likes of Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, Gloucester, Saracens, Wasps, and Worcester have enforced a 25 per cent cut from next month. Additionally, the league’s Bristol Bears have confirmed a pay cut, though the amount was undisclosed.