Andy Maher has criticised the AFL over its decision to pay AFLX captains $50,000 each for the tournament in 2019.
It was reported by Channel 7 on Tuesday night that AFLX will feature captains picking teams in an effort to liven up the format.
“They’re going to get paid $50,000 for one night of absolute Mickey Mouse rubbish,” Maher said on SEN Afternoons.
“What’s more important from the top of the pyramid down, AFLX or AFLW? What’s the more important and valuable product?”
Maher offered up some comparison with the pay that the AFLW players will receive for a home and away season with a full pre-season.
“The AFLW players, who are busting their a—es, absolutely busting their a—es, for five months to be as good as they can possibly be, the very best players in AFLW are getting paid about $24,000,” Maher said.
“If anyone can tell me how this makes any sense, how this is fair, how it is money well spent, even if you don’t like AFLW, I would love to hear the argument.”
Maher poses the question of where the AFL’s priorities lie, with several players already on big contracts set to earn an extra $50,000.
Bottom tier AFLW players will earn as little as $13,400 for their efforts over a whole season.