The Rational Ref | Rational Ref: win bonuses pointless as incentives for professionals
Top players need no extra enticement as a standard pay package should be adequate when it comes to instilling a desire for victory
Win bonuses are an anathema. Soccer professionals on contracts are already paid to perform, and yet are also offered performance bonuses as incentives. This motivational practice is morally corrupt and casts doubt about the commitment of players and coaches.
In principle, there is little difference between incentivising someone to perform well and to perform poorly. Offering financial rewards can lead individuals down the slippery slope of bribery and match fixing. As soon as incentives are used, soccer professionals will forever be expecting bonuses for their achievements rather than appreciating the experience of competing.
A recent survey of 34 leagues around the world found that professional players in the English Premier League earn, on average, annual salaries of £2.3 million (HK$28.8 million), with the German Bundesliga next best on £1.5 million (HK$18.8 million) a year.
There is an obvious difference between motivating players to win and motivating players to win at all costs
Top-flight players in Italy, Spain, France and Russia earn around £1 million (HK$12.5 million) per year on average. In the Chinese Super League, players earn annual salaries of £210,000 (HK$2.6 million), the highest in Asia. Hong Kong was not included in the survey, but for reference Eastern goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai is reported to earn HK$600,000 per year.
When win bonuses are offered on top of paid salaries, for example to encourage winning the domestic league, Champions League and even the World Cup, the added motivation appears excessive and overindulgent. Last season, Real Madrid gave their players a win bonus of €750,000 (HK$7.3 million) each for bringing home the "decima" or 10th Champions League title, and Germany players were given £240,000 each for becoming World champions.
Spain players were offered a win bonus of €720,000 and England £350,000 - far more than Germany - and both failed.
Professional players hardly need to be incentivised with more cash to win. Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly gave his Champions League win bonus to his team of physiotherapists. Mesut Ozil donated his World Cup bonus to provide operations for 23 seriously ill Brazilian children.
