Federer wants 2 million euros to play Basel next year.

[Clarky21]

Haha, brilliant gif. I have the same expression every time I read Bullzilla's poasts


I like how you conveniently overlooked posts by Sid_Vicious, DragonBlaze, NadalDramaQueen, and sonicare which were quite critical of Fed. But I forgot; this is the church of Federer, and no one ever says anything critical of him. It is blasphemy!

Lol! Four whole *******s said they didn't like it out of the gaggle of them on this site who would defend him to the death no matter what he did. Big f'n deal.


And my point still stands because it's the truth. Nadal would be crucified for demanding 2 million dollars to play Barcelona. Deny it all day long if you wish but you're only denying the truth.

 

[3fees]

His career is winding down,so he wants all he can get..

 

[Gonzo_style]

http://www.iol.co.za/sport/tennis/federer-slammed-by-swiss-1.1415695#.UJRqanXA_YE






What do you think about this?

I understand him asking 500 000$, but 2 mill is a bit too much don't you think?

How much he paid to play in Doha? Interests me ...They have a lot of money...

 

[Emet74]

For some perspective here:

1) Basel tourney director recently gave an interview on what Fed has done for the tournament. He said his presence has transformed it; it was able to go from 5 to 15 permanent employees, make major improvements to the facilities etc; the existence of Fed for the event has been like "winning the lottery."

2) The $500,000 Fed was getting was a majorly discounted rate; half of his standard fee at the time and half of a current normal appearance fee of any top 4 player.

3) Basel has been shelling out for Murray and Djoko in recent years. What are they getting paid? Are they also giving discounts?

4) That 2 mill figure is not confirmed; other sources give lower amounts and it is anyway probably a starting negotiating bid, hardly a final offer.

--

Given the calander calendar changes and all the above, anyone who was Fed's manager would say enough is enough.

He's not playing to be a one-man charity to the tournament of Basel after all.

It's a shame this whole spat became public, but I suspect if you got in a room w/ Tony Godsick to talk about it he'd have plenty to say.

 

[Emet74]

And Nadal has NEVER asked for money to play in Barcelona. He plays there since he loves to play in his home country. Nadal has that duty. Looks like Federer doesn't appear to like or even care about his country (barely devotes himself to Davis Cup, didn't show up for military duty at 19, demanding ridiculous amounts of money from his HOME tournament)... I guess he's just not a team player.

And don't even go there w/ Nadal who took a bunch of money just to be INTERVIEWED by spanish t.v. - and that was TAXPAYER money in a time of economic crisis in his country. When it was found out it became a public scandal in spanish politics.

Sorry to disapoint folks, but professional tennis is business.

 

[sureshs]

He won't be in demand next year because he will be losing most of his matches. He will have retired before Basel comes along.

 

[Crisstti]

The truth is the truth. Someone should make a thread like this saying Nadal is demanding 2 million dollars to play Barcelona,and watch the sh*t get piled on him from every direction. TT is the very definition of predictable.

Yeah, I do think this thread would look quite different if it had been Nadal.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Nadal fans.

:roll:

 

[*Sparkle*]

lol this really is no different from Bill Clinton getting a quarter of a million per speech, or Michael Jordan getting paid for appearances.

It's more like them asking for money to give a speech at their old school - even if it is a rich, privately run school. I've heard of celebs demanding large fees to turn up for prize-giving and they are normally met with criticism from the public if they want more than reasonable expenses.

I can see the point that if other top players are getting a fee, then it would be strange for him not to expect one too - whether he gives it to charity or stuffs it in his back pocket. It's just weird that he appears to be wanting a massively disproportionate fee.

Now, if he was demanding that they spent more money on a better runners-up trophy, we'd all understand.

 

[cc0509]

It's more like them asking for money to give a speech at their old school - even if it is a rich, privately run school. I've heard of celebs demanding large fees to turn up for prize-giving and they are normally met with criticism from the public if they want more than reasonable expenses.

I can see the point that if other top players are getting a fee, then it would be strange for him not to expect one too - whether he gives it to charity or stuffs it in his back pocket. It's just weird that he appears to be wanting a massively disproportionate fee.

Now, if he was demanding that they spent more money on a better runners-up trophy, we'd all understand.

WTH?

Federer has made that tournament what it is. Without him all of these years, that tournament would be nothing or it would be a much lesser tournament. Of course he should receive a higher appearance fee than all other players. Players don't receive equal appearnce fees any place. Federer's fee is the highest in every tournament. Nadal's is next. Sheesh!

 

[*Sparkle*]

No need to sheeesh, just re-read. In your paranoia, you didn't notice that I was actually defending his right to expect the organisers to pay a reasonable fee, which is more than some on here. So you can direct your indignation elsewhere please.

I wasn't comparing him to the others, rather that the fee he appears to be asking is disproportionate on its own merits, and that does factor in that it's his home tournament, that he should be glad to support the event where he got his break.

I know some people are more money orientated than me, so will have different views, but that doesn't mean those of us who appreciate there is more to life aren't entitled to an opinion too. My opinion is that his decision on whether or not to play his home tournament shouldn't be down to the size of his fee. If it doesn't suit him, he doesn't need to play. If he wants to play, he should be glad of the opportunity to do so in front of his home crowd.

I don't believe for a second it would have suited him to play Paris this year instead of Basel. He wanted that week's break, and picking his home tournament over a Masters was a great excuse.

 

[Netspirit]

It is his career and his business. He has the right to ask for anything, and Basel has the right to refuse.

 

[Mike Sams]

we have to be fair. The ATP is making A LOT of money off players like Federer. He should be making much more money than he is. Players only get 13% of the pot. If the sport was fair, all players would get much more money. Players outside of the top 30 would be able to live the good life. Instead, most players can barely afford to travel.

 

[cc0509]

Sparkle*;6992336]
I wasn't comparing him to the others, rather that the fee he appears to be asking is disproportionate on its own merits, and that does factor in that it's his home tournament, that he should be glad to support the event where he got his break.

But it is called a negotiation, it is not a done deal. Plus it is not disproportionate if the tournament is very profitable, which apparently it is. He has supported the event where he got his break. He has been playing it for years and he alone has made that event what it is. He could have played in Asia instead of Basel and playing in Asia clearly would have made him a lot more money, so as it has been said on here, money is not his only motive.

My opinion is that his decision on whether or not to play his home tournament shouldn't be down to the size of his fee. If it doesn't suit him, he doesn't need to play. If he wants to play, he should be glad of the opportunity to do so in front of his home crowd.

You have got it backwards in my opinion. The tournament should be glad that Federer is giving them the opportunity to play there and make them loads of cash, not the other way around. It doesn't work that way. Without the stars of tennis these tournaments make nothing. They need the stars to survive. This is a tournament in Basel where Federer was born. People go to that tournament to see Federer, the rest are wallpaper compared to him there let's be honest.

 

[kishnabe]

Lol! Four whole *******s said they didn't like it out of the gaggle of them on this site who would defend him to the death no matter what he did. Big f'n deal.


And my point still stands because it's the truth. Nadal would be crucified for demanding 2 million dollars to play Barcelona. Deny it all day long if you wish but you're only denying the truth.

Nadal will be crucified for asking that. In fact he gets way less than Federer does in Basel.....that much more appreciative of Nadal. He plays for the crowd and not the money in that event.

You yourself were critique Nadal in a negative manner when he is going to play Doha and Abu Dhabi for money.

 

[cc0509]

Nadal will be crucified for asking that. In fact he gets way less than Federer does in Basel.....that much more appreciative of Nadal. He plays for the crowd and not the money in that event.

You yourself were critique Nadal in a negative manner when he is going to play Doha and Abu Dhabi for money.

Yeah, sure he does! :roll:

 

[Mike Sams]

Nadal will be crucified for asking that. In fact he gets way less than Federer does in Basel.....that much more appreciative of Nadal. He plays for the crowd and not the money in that event.

You yourself were critique Nadal in a negative manner when he is going to play Doha and Abu Dhabi for money.

:lol: What drugs are you taking?????

 

[zagor]

The thing with Federer is, he is very very likable guy. He seems very modest, very professional, I think half of his male fans has a man crush on him. And with that in mind, I think his fans would forgive him almost anything. That's the story with Federer. His fans just can't accept that he can be a bit of selfish, and that, believe it or not, he is not an angel!

Well some of his fans in this very thread criticized him for this but regardless I get what you're saying, Fed like every other big star has some die hard fans who think he can do no wrong, idolize him etc. but that's normal, it comes with the territory.

I can certainly believe Fed can be selfish or arrogant on occasion and I have followed him long enough to know he wasn't always such calm professional on court but my personal interest in him is because of his tennis and I feel that way about other players as well, I don't view them as role models or something, I don't particulary care if Fed asks 2 million appearance fee or that Novak chooses MC as his official residence or that Nadal promotes gambling (the reaction for that on this forum was quite hilarious) etc.

Asking money to play any 250 or 500 tournament is totally legit IMO. Because he is getting them attendance, more TV viewers (a lot more). The only question is how much is he asking.

0,5 mill is perfectly reasonable amount IMO. But two mill ....Jesus... that is too much.

Well if it is too much then they won't pay him or more likely they'll reach middle ground ( say a 1,2 or 1,3 mill), I don't feel like Fed has any obligation to Basel, it's not like that tourney didn't massively benefit from Fed's star appeal over the years.

 

[veroniquem]

I hope the tournament refuses. Fed won't be worth that much at the grand old age of 32 at any event (much less a 500). But of course, we all know Fed is completely megalomaniac. Personally, I'm totally looking forward to a Djoko-Murray final in Basel next year

 

[zagor]

Lol! Four whole *******s said they didn't like it out of the gaggle of them on this site who would defend him to the death no matter what he did. Big f'n deal.

Actually it seems like more than 4 to me, let's say 5 Fed fans are criticizing him.

Do count how many are defending him in this thread, according to you there should be a ton of them so you should be able to name 6 of them, yes?

And my point still stands because it's the truth. Nadal would be crucified for demanding 2 million dollars to play Barcelona. Deny it all day long if you wish but you're only denying the truth.

Sure, I can believe that. However I also doubt you would see any Nadal fan (aside from yourself) criticize him whatsoever.

Personally I wouldn't criticize either of them in this regard, they have a right to ask as much as they want and the tourney has the right to refuse.

 

[15_ounce]

Haha, brilliant gif. I have the same expression every time I read Bullzilla's poasts


I like how you conveniently overlooked posts by Sid_Vicious, DragonBlaze, NadalDramaQueen, and sonicare which were quite critical of Fed. But I forgot; this is the church of Federer, and no one ever says anything critical of him. It is blasphemy!

I criticize Fed eventhough I am a fan. I don't want to blindly idolize anyone.

 

[tennis_pro]

I hope the tournament refuses. Fed won't be worth that much at the grand old age of 32 at any event (much less a 500). But of course, we all know Fed is completely megalomaniac. Personally, I'm totally looking forward to a Djoko-Murray final in Basel next year

Federer is the only reason Basel is still going strong.

 

[Gonzo_style]

This is pathetic from Federer. It's okay to ask for money from Doha and Dubai, but from hometown? 2 millions?

 

[cc0509]

I hope the tournament refuses. Fed won't be worth that much at the grand old age of 32 at any event (much less a 500). But of course, we all know Fed is completely megalomaniac. Personally, I'm totally looking forward to a Djoko-Murray final in Basel next year

And where is your hero Nadal? Serving a silent susp--ns--n perchance? How could anybody believe he is really injured? I mean come on!

 

[cc0509]

I criticize Fed eventhough I am a fan. I don't want to blindly idolize anyone.

I don't blindly idolize Federer or any other player but Fed is right on on this issue imo.

 

[Gonzo_style]

And where is your hero Nadal? Serving a silent susp--ns--n perchance? How could anybody believe he is really injured? I mean come on!

Filip Peliwo believe!

 

[veroniquem]

Federer is the only reason Basel is still going strong.

No 500 is ever gonna get all the top players. If anything, Basel has done well because top guys like Djoko and Murray have shown interest in it (same as Dubai). If it was just Fed vs weak competition, it would go dismal.

 

[cc0509]

Filip Peliwo believe!

Was Filip asked this question? LOL, poor kid.

 

[cc0509]

No 500 is ever gonna get all the top players. If anything, Basel has done well because top guys like Djoko and Murray have shown interest in it (same as Dubai). If it was just Fed vs weak competition, it would go dismal.

Djokovic and Murray are not anywhere near as popular in Basel or any place else as Federer is, would you stop it! Federer is a legend and they go to see him there just as in Barcelona most people go to see Nadal.

Murray and Djokovic are mere specks on the planet compared to Federer and they always will be and you know it.

 

[Gonzo_style]

Was Filip asked this question? LOL, poor kid.

Yes, a good boy!

 

[tennisaddict]

I hope the tournament refuses. Fed won't be worth that much at the grand old age of 32 at any event (much less a 500). But of course, we all know Fed is completely megalomaniac. Personally, I'm totally looking forward to a Djoko-Murray final in Basel next year

Do you know even this time at Basel, there were empty courts in all matches. But when it was Fed's match, it was full house all the way through.

So if you are Fed, why would you not ask more ?

A musician or any other sportsmen worth his salt will ask lesser fee year after year than what he is worth ?

 

[veroniquem]

Djokovic and Murray are not anywhere near as popular in Basel or any place else as Federer is, would you stop it! Federer is a legend and they go to see him there just as in Barcelona most people go to see Nadal.

Murray and Djokovic are mere specks on the planet compared to Federer and they always will be and you know it.

I respectfully disagree. The 500s that are doing well as the ones that can give high appearance fees because that causes stronger competition and more top players to participate. That their place is right in the calendar is important too. Barcelona has strong competition because most clay court specialists are Spanish or Hispanic. Tennis is NOT about 1 star showing up. It's about somehow finding a way to attract as many top players as possible.

 

[cc0509]

Do you know even this time at Basel, there were empty courts in all matches. But when it was Fed's match, it was full house all the way through.

She knows believe me. This Fed-hater follows Federer almost as closely as her hero Nadal, that is the scary part.

 

[Gonzo_style]

.

So if you are Fed, why would you not ask more ?

Because I was born in that city, and received wild card when I was a teenager!

 

[cc0509]

I respectfully disagree. The 500s that are doing well as the ones that can give high appearance fees because that causes stronger competition and more top players to participate. That their place is right in the calendar is important too. Barcelona has strong competition because most clay court specialists are Spanish or Hispanic. Tennis is NOT about 1 star showing up. It's about somehow finding a way to attract as many top players as possible.

Yes of course you want to have more than one top player but Federer is the major player without doubt. He is THE player people want to see there the most.
Now, I know you are a Fed-hater but please don't try and insult our intelligence by claiming that Murray or Djokovic get the same amount of love in Basel!
Federer is the player who has made that tournament what it is which is one of the most profitable ATP 500 events and if it is profitable, Federer should be receiving a bigger share of the profits since he is the star of the show.

 

[veroniquem]

Yes of course you want to have more than one top player but Federer is the major player without doubt. He is THE player people want to see there the most.
Now, I know you are a Fed-hater but please don't try and insult our intelligence by claiming that Murray or Djokovic get the same amount of love in Basel!
Federer is the player who has made that tournament what it is which is one of the most profitable ATP 500 events and if it is profitable, Federer should be receiving a bigger share of the profits since he is the star of the show.

Still, 2 million is way out of line. Typical Fed megalomania to think he's worth more at 32+ than he was in his prime. The tournament may want to grovel and pay, it's their problem, not mine. My opinion is that it's not worth it. They're better off having 2 top players for the same price than an aging Fed + empty field.

 

[tennisaddict]

Because I was born in that city, and received wild card when I was a teenager!

They gave a wild card because they wanted to get crowds and because Fed showed talent even as a school boy. A match with a 300 ranked Fed would draw more crowd than a match between two top 10 players.

That is true even today. Go to USO and you may find finalist JCF slugging it out on Court 17, while Jack Sock will play on Grandstand or Louis Armstrong.

They didnt give wild card for someone on the street.

 

[tennisaddict]

Still, 2 million is way out of line. Typical Fed megalomania to think he's worth more at 32+ than he was in his prime. The tournament may want to grovel and pay, it's their problem, not mine. My opinion is that it's not worth it. They're better off having 2 top players for the same price than an aging Fed + empty field.

You are entitled to your opinion. Fed to his.

It is wrong to preach that he is incorrect in demanding what he thinks he is worth. It is his business.

 

[cc0509]

Still, 2 million is way out of line. Typical Fed megalomania to think he's worth more at 32+ than he was in his prime. The tournament may want to grovel and pay, it's their problem, not mine. My opinion is that it's not worth it. They're better off having 2 top players for the same price than an aging Fed + empty field.

He is worth way more now than he was in his prime. He is a legend and people want to see him before he retires.

If the tournament pays, it means he is worth it. People don't pay for things that they feel are unworthy or that they can't afford. They can get more than just Federer. It is a profitable tournament which means that they can get Federer and other top players. Federer and Godsick would not be asking for an amount if they thought the tournament could not afford it. Do you not realize how business works? They start high and probably will negotiate the fee down in the end. The only way Federer will not play there is if HE decides he does not want to and it is possible he may not want to any longer.

 

[フェデラー]

Maybe he doesn't want to play there next year, so he is asking for a price that is too high. :lol:

I think it's mostly this, because Basel comes in between Shanghai and Paris. He probably skipped Paris because doubling up on Shanghai and Basel was too much, and he ends up losing money in the long run. Of course the prize money at Basel is a lot less as well, so that could also be behind why he wants more. I understand a lot of people see it as unreasonable, but it's just business.

 

[Deleted member 21996]

Go-nads and Bag lady's favourite game!

 

[Numenor]

I criticize Fed eventhough I am a fan. I don't want to blindly idolize anyone.

I know, I was being sarcastic, referring to Clarky's signature in that post. I too am a Fed / Novak fan, but I can call a spade a spade and observe that Fed is being greedy here.

 

[SQA333]

Let's not forget Rafa did a bit of tax dodging this year by choosing to play Halle over Queens.

 

[Deleted member 21996]

Let's not forget Rafa did a bit of tax dodging this year by choosing to play Halle over Queens.

that is the spanish style!!!

 

[Tammo]

Arrogant Bast***

 

[MasturB]

I really don't have a problem with what Fed is doing.

He has tens of millions of fans around the world.

Supply and Demand. Fed could play these tournaments years ago when his body could take it and not really charge much.

Now that he's older and his body is declining, it only makes sense that he ask for more since he probably knows his body can't take all the abuse. Basically selling his body to the highest bidder now.

And the people who run Doha and Dubai are rich oil men. They're paying just to watch Federer play for themselves, not for everyone else to come see Fed play. Basel is paying Fed to keep him coming back to a non-important tournament. That gives them more leverage with their sponsors as well. Once Djokovic and Nadal hit Fed's age, I'm more than certain they'll ask Belgrade and Barcelona for higher fees. Especially when you consider Nadal's knees won't be so fine later on his career and he'll be even MORE selective than Fed is when it comes to playing tournaments.

Fed probably doesn't care about Shanghai, but them paying him enough just to play, their investment probably returns just from him making the Semi's. That's what, 3 rounds of tennis and 3 rounds of a nice capacity crowd?

 

[Gonzo_style]

Fed probably doesn't care about Shanghai, but them paying him enough just to play, their investment probably returns just from him making the Semi's. That's what, 3 rounds of tennis and 3 rounds of a nice capacity crowd?

How much they paying him? Do you have any source?

 

[Gonzo_style]

Let's not forget Rafa did a bit of tax dodging this year by choosing to play Halle over Queens.

Yeah, Queens is in Spain LOL

 

[Mustard]

Let's not forget Rafa did a bit of tax dodging this year by choosing to play Halle over Queens.

The British government taxes the worldwide sponsorship deals of sports stars. Nadal would have lost money by participating at Queen's Club if he had lost before the quarter finals, because the prize money for early round losers wouldn't have been as much as the money lost due to the government taxes on his worldwide deals. In Halle, there was no risk of him losing money even if he had lost his first match, because they only tax on prize money and sponsorship deals made whilst in Germany.

Despite this tax bureaucracy, Nadal competed at Queen's Club in 2010 and 2011 when that particular law on worldwide deals was in force, and risked losing cash.

The biggest tax controversy involving Nadal was when a company run by his dad was registered in the Basque country, where there's a lower tax band. The company was later forced to relocate to Mallorca by the Spanish tax authorities.

 

[Towser83]

Still, 2 million is way out of line. Typical Fed megalomania to think he's worth more at 32+ than he was in his prime. The tournament may want to grovel and pay, it's their problem, not mine. My opinion is that it's not worth it. They're better off having 2 top players for the same price than an aging Fed + empty field.

Well at 32 he has 17 slams an is more of a legend. Look at the Rolling Stones. They're charging stupid amounts of money to play because basically people will pay it because they want to see them before they die/retire. People want to see Fed before he retires.

I don't agree with it, and I do think he's being greedy, but please, megalomania? This from a Nadal fan? You know the guy who has such a sense of his own importance he still after being a pro for over 10 years can't lsiten to the umpire calling time, you know cos he decides when he does anything, everyone else can wait on his highness. The guy who complains if the court isn't playing to his liking so gets a GS final psotponed. The guy who demands a tournament change the surface or he won't play cos it's a bit slippery. The guy who demands to see the tornament director when the umpire won't buy his rubbish about not challenging a call when he clearly did (I know Crisstii will have a go at me here but she never actually says what she thinks happened here)

Don't get me wrong, not really having a go at him but if you want to talk magalomania I'll play your game and nadal fits that picture too. Top players are pretty spoiled I guess.

Also if you think Djokovic and Murray combined would pull as many people as Fed on his own, especially in Basel, you are wrong I think. Nadal is the only person who compares to Fed's draw, and even then not in Basel.

I also do think this is different from the Nadal Queens/Halle issue. Maybe Federer doesn't want to play a lot at this time of the year so he'll only do it for huge money. I still think it's a stupid move. In fact it's a Nadal style move - play for money and don't care if your body suffers. Isn't Nadal scheduling exhibition matches even though he's out injured, plus probably taking big fees to play accapulco?

To be honest all the top guys are getting greedy and spoiled, personally Basel should tell Fed he can walk if he likes, in a few years he won't be playing at all so what does it matter if they lose him a year or 2 earlier.