Europe » England

Arsenal Chief Gazidis Favours Salary Caps In Premier League

The former MLS deputy commissioner believes salary capping has its advantages.

Jul 2, 2009 11:17:56 AM

Arsenal's new CEO Ivan Gazidis, formerly a big player with Major League Soccer

Photo Gallery

Zoom

Arsenal's new CEO Ivan Gazidis, formerly a big player with Major League Soccer

Teams

Arsenal

In order to realise financial stability, and pave a path that could lead to fiscal equality between clubs, the Premier League needs to adopt a policy that enforces salary caps, much in the style of the US NFL, according to Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

Real Madrid have been the summer's big spenders thus far, splashing out on €180 million worth of talent despite the transfer window only officially opening one day ago, yet Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea are also expected to bolster their respective squads substantially.

Arsenal, meanwhile, look set to rely on their contemporary ethic of thrifty management, particularly in the transfer market, as the low-key signing of Ajax stopper Thomas Vermaelen appears likely to be augmented by a few further little-known recruits.

Regarding a possible change to the way in which clubs spend and budget, Gazidis informed The Guardian, "I think it is worth our while to investigate whether there are elements of the salary cap system, which they have in US NFL and baseball (sic), which would benefit football.

"Clubs have a duty to provide more stability in our business models and some form of wage restraint is one element worth looking at.

"There are many ways in which it could work," he concluded.

Gazidis has great experience working in a division that enforces a salary cap as, prior to his Arsenal role, he was deputy commissioner of Major League Soccer; a league that also adopts such a ruling.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com

Thank you for your comment!

Please enter your name

Please enter your location

Please share your comment!