GotFrag has obtained a copy of the CGS's 2008 North American Player Combine and Draft Player Packet, the packet that all existing and potential CGS players recieved prior to the combine. The CGS has made several changes in the player packet, most significant among these is the way that players involved with the league are appropriated salary over a period of time.

These modifications to the pay structure are important in that they introduce to the CGS a tier compensation system as well as fluctuating pay levels depending on whether competition is occurring during a certain month.

Keep in mind that this article concerns itself only with base salary that players receive. No compensation from bonuses, nor prize money that results from a high placing, will be a factor.

To better explain these changes and their ramifications, one needs to first understand how players were paid in the first season. Collecting $2,500 per month for the nine month length of the agreement, netted each player $22,500. The new deal would seem to end the original's length three months before it would be complete.

Now that wages need to account for fluctuation based on whether a month is considered "On-Season" or "Off-Season", it is necessary to know how many months within the PSA will be considered as "On" or "Off".

According to the player packet - which terms goes into effect beginning in March - the terms will have a maximum duration of sixteen months. Reflecting what GotFrag has learned of the CGS's tentative plans, the three months following the draft will be involving online elements of competition and count as "On-Season" months. Following that, regular season play will occur from the middle of June until the middle of July with the World Finals taking place immediately following the conclusion of the season. This leaves us with the probable six months considered to be "On-Season".

Based on the difference between Season One and Season Two salaries, all players, with the exception of the franchised player, receive less than they did in the inaugural season. In the case of the newly drafted players, they receive substantially less.

Based on what the packet states, ten months are left to allow the CGS to determine at a later date whether it wants to have the Season Three draft in the spring or fall. The CGS will be aiming for a six month off season.

The following three scenarios are based upon our copy of the player packet. Until the CGS officially releases plans defining the length of on and off seasons, there is no way to determine the difference between what Season One and Season Two players will receive.

Season One Player (All)
One-Month Salary - $2,500

Total Salary Accumulated
Nine Months Flat Rate - $22,500

Season One Player Retained as a Franchise Player
On-Season Rate - $3,500
Off-Season Rate - $1,000

Longest Possible Scenario
6 Months On-Season, 10 Months Off-Season - $31,000

The Most Likely Scenario:
6 Months On-Season, 6 Months Off Season - $27,000

Bottom Line Comparison:
Season One - 9 Months Full Salary - $22,500
Season Two - 6 Months On-Season, 3 Months Off - $24,000 (+$1,500)

Season One Player Retained as a Protected Player
On-Season Rate - $2,750
Off-Season Rate - $750

Longest Possible Scenario:
6 Months On Season, 10 Months-Off Season - $24,000

The Most Likely Scenario:
6 Months On Season, 6 Months-Off Season - $21,000

Bottom Line Comparison:
Season One - 9 Months Full Salary - $22,500
Season Two - 6 Months On-Season, 3 Months Off-Season - $18,750 (-$3,750)

Newly Drafted Player
On-Season Rate - $2,500
Off-Season Rate - $500

Longest Possible Scenario:
6 Months On Season, 10 Months-Off - $20,000

The Most Likely Scenario:
6 Months On Season, 6 Months-Off - $18,000

Bottom Line Comparison:
Season One - 9 Months Full Salary - $22,500
Season Two - 6 Months On-Season, 3 Months Off-Season - $16,500 (-$6,000)