APL Unveils Fresh Board Appointments and Regulatory Overhaul

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has officially announced the addition of two new Club Directors to its Board, alongside revisions to the salary cap framework that will be implemented starting from the 2025/26 season as part of a new financial sustainability initiative.

During an Extraordinary General Meeting held earlier today, Club Unitholders voted to appoint John Dovaston, the Chairman of Melbourne Victory, and Kaz Patafta, the Chairman and CEO of Brisbane Roar, as the new Club Directors on the APL Board.

These appointments bring significant expertise in football, business, and governance to the Board, with both individuals having extensive experience in and outside the sport. The existing Chair, a Silver Lake Director, an FA-appointed Director, and three previously appointed Club Directors will remain unchanged and were not subject to election.

In addition, after consultations with the Board, Club Unitholders, and club representatives, the APL has revealed a new financial sustainability framework set to be rolled out across the A-Leagues over the next three seasons.

The new framework will focus primarily on the salary cap structure. The current model, which features a $2.55 million ‘soft cap’ alongside six concessional categories, was initially designed to maintain competitive balance and financial discipline but has proven to be ineffective.

Changes will be implemented starting in the 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season, marking the beginning of a transition towards a broader financial sustainability model based on a spending ratio relative to club revenues. This will be finalised following discussions with clubs and the PFA, with implementation expected from the 2027/28 season onwards.

From next season, the league will trial a $3.5 million ‘hard cap,’ with a hard cap of $3 million, plus one marquee player, coming into effect in the 2026/27 season. Clubs that exceed this hard cap in 2026/27 will face both financial and sporting penalties.

Clubs will still need to adhere to the current salary cap regulations and existing exemptions in the 2025/26 season, with the ‘hard cap trial’ designed to assist clubs in preparing for the 2026/27 season.

Regarding the reforms, Executive Chair Stephen Conroy stated: “Following extensive consultations with clubs over the past year, it became clear that the existing spending structure, in place since 2005, was no longer adequate.”

“We are committed to enhancing strategies that are already yielding positive results—investing in our product and promoting our remarkable homegrown talent.”

“These reforms, set to be implemented over the upcoming years, aim to ensure competitive balance while laying a solid foundation for long-term growth, helping each club realise its full revenue potential.”

“The APL Board is confident that this model will lead to long-term success, allowing clubs the necessary time to evaluate and strategise prior to finalising a new model for the 2027/28 season, which will adhere to global best practices and foster better talent development and an improved football product.”