SuperSport United FC Star Reveals Career Salaries

Former SuperSport United FC midfielder Michael Morton has broken South African football taboos by revealing the exact monthly salaries he earned across his 17-year career, ranging from R20,000 as a teenager to a peak of R80,000.

What happened?

Morton revealed the salaries on his Instagram page Mike Morton Talks Football, where he has 193k followers. The video is the first time any player - former or current - has shared such private financial details.

Why it matters for SuperSport United FC

The revelation provides insight into the financial realities of playing for SuperSport United FC and the PSL. Morton's salaries increased significantly over the years, with a peak of R80,000 in his most lucrative contract.

What comes next?

Morton's decision to reveal his salaries may set a precedent for other players to share their financial details, providing a more accurate picture of the financial realities of playing in the PSL.

Former Premier Soccer League (PSL) footballer Michael Morton has revealed an eye-opening video into what local footballers actually earn in the Betway Premiership. On his Instagram page Mike Morton Talks Football, the retired midfielder revealed what he earned for every major contract he signed throughout his career.

Contract 1: Orlando Pirates & Wits Loan (2008–2011)

- Details: 3-year deal with Orlando Pirates - R20,000 / month - Loan: Spent years 2 & 3 on loan at Bidvest Wits (Wits covered the R20k salary). Won the Nedbank Cup in 2010 for a "nice cash injection." "Now this was a phenomenal deal for a 19-year-old. That money really set me up nicely-allowed me to buy my first apartment, and I bought my first used car: Peugeot 206, 60,000 Rand cash. Felt like a king," said Morton.

Contract 2: Maritzburg United (2011-2014)

  • Details: 3-year deal
  • Salary Jump: Moved from the R20ks to the R30ks / month.

Contract 3: SuperSport United (2014-2017)

- Details: 3-year deal (Signed pre-contract from Maritzburg) - Salary Jump: Moved from the R30ks to the R60ks / month. "Now this was the first big jump... went from Maritzburg United, signed a pre-contract with SuperSport United, jumped from the 30s into the 60s. That was a substantial jump for me," said Morton.

Contract 4: AmaZulu FC (2017-2020)

- Details: Joined AmaZulu after they purchased a PSL status. - Salary Peak: Moved from R60ks to R80ks / month (His most lucrative contract). "This was actually my most lucrative contract of my career-went from 60s into the 80s. Around this time, my wife and I actually started a successful ice cream business as well... probably the best wealth-building period for the Mortons," said Morton.

Contract 5: COVID-19 & Cape Umoya (2020-2021)

- Context: Contract ended at AmaZulu; became a free agent right as COVID hit (- "probably the worst time to be a free agent"). - Details: 1st National First Division (NFD) contract with Cape Umoya. - Salary: R30,000 / month (67% pay cut from R80k). "I went from the 80s, a 67% pay cut back down to 30,000 Rand a month. That was a bit of a shock going from the highest I was earning in my career back to square one, basically," said Morton.

Contracts 6 & 7: Stagnation & Cape Town Spurs Smart Clause (2021-2022)

- Years 2 & 3 in NFD: Spent one season at Cape All Stars (R30,000 / month), then signed for Cape Town Spurs (R30,000 / month). No base salary increases for 3 straight years. - The Masterstroke: Added a promotion clause to his Cape Town Spurs deal to double his money if promoted. - The Result: Spurs won promotion via playoffs; contract doubled to R60,000 / month for his final year in the PSL. "Probably the smartest move of my career... when I joined Cape Town Spurs on 30,000 Rand, we agreed that a promotion clause would allow my contract to double... managed to secure promotion, doubled up from 30 to 60," said Morton.

8. Relegation & Retirement

  • Relegation: Cape Town Spurs got relegated back to the NFD; contract took a standard 50% pay cut back to R30,000 / month.
  • Retirement: Played a few games in the NFD that following season before hanging up his boots to launch 'Mike Morton Talks Football'.