Riders are no longer considered assets of clubs

[bigdave]

According to Dick Barrie's column in this weeks Speedway Star, the system of riders being considered assets of clubs has been quietly scrapped.

So clubs will no longer receive transfer fees or loan fees for riders who go off to ride elsewhere.

Riders are now considered self-employed.

Given that some clubs will have spent a lot of time and money building an asset base and therefore could suffer a significant loss of income, I'm surprised that this decision hasn't been more widely publicised and debated in the speedway press.

Clearly this benefits new clubs or clubs who have never built or maintained an asset base.

Also, I think it discourages clubs from taking a chance on investing in an up and coming rider, knowing that the following season, that rider could move elsewhere with no return for the investment the club has made.

So I do wonder what the rationale is for scrapping this system?

[gjcone44]

you could be a apprentice for 4 years for a company then move somewhere else when qualified. its not illegal. unless you sign a contract.

[Rich]

5 hours ago, bigdave said:

According to Dick Barrie's column in this weeks Speedway Star, the system of riders being considered assets of clubs has been quietly scrapped.

So clubs will no longer receive transfer fees or loan fees for riders who go off to ride elsewhere.

Riders are now considered self-employed.

Given that some clubs will have spent a lot of time and money building an asset base and therefore could suffer a significant loss of income, I'm surprised that this decision hasn't been more widely publicised and debated in the speedway press.

Clearly this benefits new clubs or clubs who have never built or maintained an asset base.

Also, I think it discourages clubs from taking a chance on investing in an up and coming rider, knowing that the following season, that rider could move elsewhere with no return for the investment the club has made.

So I do wonder what the rationale is for scrapping this system?

Riders have always been self-employed, that's how they are/have been so easily dropped from teams.

[lewy]

Imo a good thing, should encourage or make it easier for new clubs to get started or former clubs to comeback and not have to pay loan fees to the sports fat cats. 

 

[szkocjasid]

I agree with it, I'm pretty sure they asset system would never hold up in court if it was challenged.

But feel there should be some reward for NL/NT teams who bring on riders, who then go elsewhere.