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The Kinder, Gentler Version
What is considered a good player salary in the ECHL? What type of money can some of the better players earn?
What is considered a good player salary in the ECHL? What type of money can some of the better players earn?
Is that salary cap only for the players that are signed to the ECHL team or does it also include the salaries of players that have contracts with NHL teams?When you consider that the salary cap in the league is $10,000/wk, I'd be surprised if players earned more than $1200/week, and that would be for the very top players. I hazard an educated guess (based on my knowledge of the CEntral League) that the better class of players would be on $750-1000/week.
It includes everyone, but the NHL and AHL-contracted players count a set amount -- $500 per week.Is that salary cap only for the players that are signed to the ECHL team or does it also include the salaries of players that have contracts with NHL teams?
Is there anywhere that a person can find out exactly what these minor league players in the ECHL, CHL, UHL, SPHL, etc. are actually making in a year???
What is considered a good player salary in the ECHL? What type of money can some of the better players earn?
I have an acquaintance who played one year in the East coast league. He said the cap is circumvented by players having second 'jobs' at the owner's other businesses, free meals and booze in bars, etc, etc.
Danbury's over the cap issues run a bit deeper than that. Players and their wives were on the payroll rosters of other businesses the Trashers owners operated as a means ti circumvent the UHL cap. While the 'perks' are taxable and should be included on the player's W-2, the Trashers are in trouble because they got caught up in the Federal investigation. If one was able to audit other minor hockey owner's businesses all at once, they might uncover the same issues.Certain "perks" have always been part of the minor leage landscape. Housing allowances, cars, and certain other things have been okayed uder the views of the leagues. Danbury's people are in trouble because they didn't report their perks as taxable income (which it is), among other things.
It includes everyone, but the NHL and AHL-contracted players count a set amount -- $500 per week.
Top-end players in the ECHL make about $850 a week, rookies can make as little as like $350.
There is no disclosure by player like in the NHLPA, no.
What is their "rent" situation? If they aren't veterans, the players most likely aren't establishing a residence in the area they play. Also, is there some sort of meals allowance or per diem? Or must they wait until tax time to claim that?$350 a week... how can these dudes afford to live off that?
What is their "rent" situation? If they aren't veterans, the players most likely aren't establishing a residence in the area they play. Also, is there some sort of meals allowance or per diem? Or must they wait until tax time to claim that?
If a 23-year old has cheap rent, and receives a meals allowance, they may be able to stretch that $250-$275 per week take-home a bit.
This doesn't relate to salaries, but, it does relate to the ECHL finances.
How is travel handled for a franchise like the Alaska Aces. Most of the teams in their division are in the South. With only $10K a week being spent on salaries, I imagine a road trip to Alaska for a 20-man team plus the coaching staff is going to run 2 or 3 times their payroll for that week.
Teams who travel up there typically play 3 games.
Part of the ECHL CBA with the players is the team has to provide a furnished apartment, including utilities - although players who live locally full time can get reimbursed for the amount those apartments cost and live in their own place.What is their "rent" situation? If they aren't veterans, the players most likely aren't establishing a residence in the area they play. Also, is there some sort of meals allowance or per diem? Or must they wait until tax time to claim that?
If a 23-year old has cheap rent, and receives a meals allowance, they may be able to stretch that $250-$275 per week take-home a bit.
Nice insight, are you associated with a UHL club in any way?In the UHL, players are provided with a furnished apartment. Some apartments come with utilities (cable, electric, heat) included and some don't -- it depends on the apartment complex chosen by the team. If the utilities aren't included with the apartment, the players are responsible for that on their own. Booster clubs often provide incidental household equipment (dishes, pots/pans, irons, coffeemakers) that are returned to the booster club at the end of the season and loaned out again the following year.
Cash is given for per diem meals when traveling. This is non-taxable and doesn't apply to the salary cap, but it is limited. If the bus leaves before a certain time of day, they get paid for breakfast/lunch/dinner, if it leaves after a certain time, they only get lunch/dinner or dinner only. Booster clubs can also provide food for the bus and locker room. Meals or grocery allowances outside of travel are not allowed and would count towards the salary cap.
The hockey club is responsible for getting the player from their hometown to the team town at the beginning of the season, and then back home again at the end of the season. Sometimes that's a plane ticket, sometimes it's a bus ticket, sometimes it's reimbursement for gasoline receipts if the player drove their own vehicle. Vehicles are not provided to the players, and the players are responsible for their own in-town commuting expenses (they usually just carpool with each other to the rink and back, since they all live in the same apartment complex).
Sorry I don't know about other leagues, but that gives you an idea about the rules in the UHL.
i have a friend in the echl currently.. he has not yet complained about money.. drives a decent car and goes out alot with teh boys.. i dont think he throws down like anyone in the NHL but I dont think he minds the money either.. so it cant be too bad.
The teams usually fly..sad thing is when Gwinnett made it to the playoffs last year the team didnt have enough money to send them so they all had to pay their own flight in the middle of night.. it was a disaster. I know the booster club is working harder to earn money for the team this year due to that problem.
i wish the echl had more money becuase most of the guys are great guys.. they love what they do and they dont take it for granted.. they arent making millions so you can tell that in the way they play and they way they are when they talk to you.
Its kind of cool in a way..