KUALA LUMPUR — Several prominent Malaysian shuttlers are reportedly requesting annual salaries of RM2 million, a figure that could make them the highest-paid athletes in the country, surpassing even top footballers.
According to a reliable source from the badminton fraternity, this bold demand has caught the attention of both the government and sponsors, who are not entirely on board with the idea.
If these demands are met, these shuttlers would eclipse local football stars like Faisal Halim, who, prior to his acid attack, was among the highest-earning Malaysian footballers, reportedly drawing a monthly salary between RM80,000 and RM100,000.
While badminton holds a special place in the hearts of Malaysian sports fans, one must question whether the sport has achieved the same level of commercial success as football, tennis, or Formula One to justify such hefty salaries.
For context, even during the peak of his illustrious career from 2010 to 2018, three-time Olympic silver medallist Lee Chong Wei earned approximately RM15,000 a month, excluding sponsorships and bonuses.
In light of today’s inflation, a demand for RM2 million annually for athletes with fewer accolades than Chong Wei seems wildly unreasonable.
Currently, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) offers salaries ranging from RM2,000 to RM20,000 per month, reviewed annually, along with quarterly rankings and tournament bonuses that can reach RM120,000.
These figures do not account for additional income from personal sponsorship deals secured by top players, as well as their prize earnings. For the record BAM, unlike certain national associations, does not take a single cent from players’ prize winnings.
For comparison, the China Badminton Association (CBA) reportedly takes a 60% cut of players’ prize money, while the Korean Badminton Association (BKA) caps annual earnings for college graduates at 60 million won (approximately RM188,000).
Notably, professional athletes like Denmark’s two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen and Malaysia’s own Lee Zii Jia operate under a different financial model as independent athletes, not tied to a national governing body.
UK-based Badminton Insight reports that a top-10 singles player could earn anywhere from US$100,000 (RM434,000) to as much as US$6 million (RM26 million) annually when factoring in tournament earnings, salaries, and sponsorships.
In 2023, Axelsen earned nearly RM2.8 million in prize money alone, while Zii Jia secured a lucrative seven-year deal worth RM11 million with sports equipment brand Victor in 2022.
However, it’s crucial to consider the significant expenses these independent athletes face, which include tournament costs, support staff salaries, and taxes.
For Malaysian shuttlers performing well at the Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM), BAM has historically provided extensive support and benefits.
The prospect of salaries soaring to RM2 million annually raises concerns about fairness and sustainability within the local sports ecosystem. Can BAM even afford to meet these lofty demands?
“The high demands made by these players are not only unexpected, but they also put BAM in a very difficult position,” the source, who prefers to remain anonymous, told Scoop.
As a non-profit organisation, BAM invests around RM50 million annually to support roughly 100 players, with substantial funding sourced from major sponsors like Petronas, Yonex, Perodua, the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS), Affin Bank, and 100Plus.
With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics just four years away, some players have already committed to remaining with the national body until then.
However, the big question looms: what will happen if their salary demands are not met? The outcome of this standoff could reshape the future of badminton in Malaysia. — October 27, 2024