After years of negotiations, FISA announced today that the salary cap previously covering coxswains would be removed, and that coxswain salaries will be pegged to NBA contracts instead. "We felt this was in the best interests of the sport" a representative of the Snakewake Union said, speaking through a CoxBox to disguise his identity. "The prospect of having to earn less than $34 million over a four-year period has been driving talented coxswains into the bigger money sports -- such as basketball -- where they can use their height advantage. Talent loss like that just can't be good for the sport."
The decision was a controversial one. Until now, coxswain salaries have been a closely-guarded secret, with few rowers even aware that coxswains were paid at all. "I don't want to have to spend $10 for a beer and a hotdog," a fan waiting for tickets said.