Brisbane may have breached the salary cap

[one-eyed]

How the mighty have fallen. Gone are Voss, Aker and Michael and now this.

Michael fury may backfire on Lions
Emma Quayle
December 10, 2006

THE Brisbane Lions' unsuccessful attempt to block Mal Michael from joining Essendon at next week's pre-season draft may backfire, with the club likely to be queried over a possible salary-cap breach.

The Lions, who have angrily opposed Michael's comeback and demanded the league investigate him and the Bombers for draft tampering, may be asked to explain why Michael believes he is owed $50,000 by the club.

Michael claims the money is part of a back-ended contract, while Brisbane says the money was offered as part of a new ambassadorial role

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/12/09/1165081203066.html

[one-eyed]

Lions salary cap probe
Andrew Hamilton
Herald-Sun
January 20, 2007 12:00am

THE AFL is investigating the Brisbane Lions for possible salary cap breaches involving departed Mal Michael.

If found guilty, the Lions face a fine and, under the worst-case scenario, could be stripped of participation in next year's national draft.

It is believed AFL investigator Ken Wood has taken statements from Michael and Lions CEO Michael Bowers regarding the structure of the triple premiership player's contract for 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Bowers is on leave and did not return calls yesterday.

The investigation centres on the legality of a $50,000 ambassador payment the Lions allegedly offered to pay into one of Michael's companies.

It is believed Wood is investigating whether Brisbane had reduced Michael's salary and then substituted it with the ambassador's payment, which could constitute a breach of the TPP (total player payment) rules.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21087635-11088,00.html