Colorado Mammoth Message Board

One question we have always wondered about is what is the average salary for a NLL player? I sense it is more for the love of the game than actual $.

We often stay after the games for autographs and I am always impressed at how friendly and accomodating the players are. They are true role models which is sometimes difficult to find in professional athletes.

GO MAMMOTH!!!!

Thanks!

I would agree, these guys play for the love of the game, however, I beleive they all act like professional athletes should act. I have the greatest respect for the sacrifices that these guys make across the entire league in order to grow this game.

Right from the beginning from the pioneers in this league back in the late 80s into the early 90's where salaries where $100 per game for 8 games. After taxes our checks were $83, most of us spent more than that in the bar at the post game parties. To now, where salaries are at least respectable for a part time commitment.

The average salary in the NLL is in the $14,000 per season range. Some players earn more with responsibilities for personal services, such as appearances, etc.

I think everyone would love to see the game grow to a point where players are able to make a more "full-time" wage, however ownership in the NLL needs to maintain a fiscal responsibility where more teams are financially stable. In order for us to continue to grow the game, we must maintain the affordability of the tickets for the consumers.

I apologize for boring you with the economics of the NLL, but it is interesting nonetheless.

But back to your point, yes, we are very proud of the way our players and all players in the NLL conduct themselves. They understand they are building something for the future. It may not be tomorrow or next year but one day this game will garner more mainstream attention and they are poised as great ambasadors for the NLL.

Sorry for another long winded answer but I am hoping that this forum will be a place for fans to learn a little more about the inner workings of the NLL and professional lacrosse.

SG

I would love to hear more about the economics of the NLL.
Minimum Salaries
Maximum Salaries
Pay tiers for experience
Salary Cap
Is anyone close to the cap?
What percentage of the league is profitable?
Are the Mammoth Profitable?
Are the lower attendance number this year due to less giveaways, bad weather, or a smaller season ticket base?
Lay all the Economics of lacrosse on me.

P.S. The Beer glass you signed is displayed proudly in our kitchen.

I would say most of the CBA information is confidential but I can share some basics.

Minimum salaries are rookies and are mandatory in the $7500 range. After two years experience veterans have a minimum salary that is in the $10,000 range.

Maximum salaries are for veterans and max out at $23000 range.

Two franchise players can earn 25% more than that number. Only players eligible for unrestricted free agency can be franchised. IE. Gavin Prout is not eligble.

There is a second year minimum that is higher than the rookie minimum but those players are also eligible for the veteran maximum.

Salary caps are individual but can be extrapolated to 23 (maximum roster size) multiplied by the veteran maximum.

There are several teams that are close to the cap. We are not one of them.

Profitability is measured differently by each team in their own unique situations. I can only tell you that a large majority of the NLL teams are not profitable. The Mammoth do operate in a positive position.

Lower attendance numbers can be attributed to many things. Mostly dates and weather have seemed to hinder our efforts this season. However, our season ticket base has grown every year in Denver and last year was no exception. We give away very few comp tickets in comparison to other teams in other cities. With the exception of the Thursday game last week, our ticket sales have been strong. With a high season ticket base relying on what we call "game day sales or walk up sales" is less of a necessity than a smaller base.

Hope this answer your questions.

SG

Thank you, this was by far the most comprehensive look at the NLL finances I have been privy too.

Yea, this is kick butt. I am a huge NLL fan and am happy to see some of these numbers!

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Lacrosse!

Hey Steve...does the NLL utilize profit sharing? Are there penalties for exceeding the cap (ie NY Yankees)? Thanks.

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--Nick

Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a horn. naturalhoosier@gmail.com

The NLL does profit share but in a different form than what some people might picture.

All leagues are different in their structure and how they choose to share in revenues. The NLL shares any league revenues in sponsorship, television or licensing. Ticket revenues are left to the teams as well as local sponsorships.

We also share revenues with the Player's Association. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement that was put in place two years ago introduced a new form of revenue sharing that has the PLPA reaping the benefits of the successes of the League. As League revenue grows so does the amount that is shared with the Players Association. It is up to them to decide how they distribute it to the players, the League cannot mandate that but by law it must be used for the benefit of the players.

There are no penalties in place for exceeding the cap because you simply can't do it. Each individual player's contract is severly scrutinized by the League office. Anything that is out of line is rejected by the league, therefore, the player can't play for you unless there is a valid, NLL approved contract in place.

SG

What about Coaches and GMs? Do you guys need second jobs or does it count differently than the players?

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No one's taller than
the last man standing.

Well being a student of the commerce I am rather interested to know whether the said players or coaches require to be maintained under a payroll! They might not be working as employees but then there are certainly some companies who pay them? Or are they totally rely on the endorsements from the products that they advertise? Please comment.

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Its time we looked at the services of the Arizona PEOs

I always thought it would be more than that.
We also have the main fat burning furnace in addition to satellite direct to enjoy display directly on. Everybody such as the eat stop eat regime to clear out additional fat.

Steve,

I am curious about healthcare benefits of the players. We have discussed whether players should be seeing physicians here in Denver versus thier private physicians at home (we talked about Ilijia's case). Does the League or KSE provide something for the players?