A serious post now, rather than the cheeky earlier one.
Hooper might very well be a 'Marquee Player' as far as the Salary Cap is concerned. But he could be one next season (presuming similar exceptions exist) even if he isn't now.
I would be amazed if that meant the Phoenix were spending significantly more than the $3.2m salary cap, though not all of that spending would be counted against it (via Hooper being a marquee/homegrown exceptions/veteran exceptions).
People around the club have said this is either their most expensive squad or their second-most expensive squad (behind the Kosta Barbarouses comeback season, I believe).
Remember, they needed to bump Ben Waine up from a scholarship deal to a proper one on the eve of the season to have an eligible squad. They haven't contracted/paid Zac Jones and Sam Sutton despite having them train full time all season. They treasure every dollar.
As Coochie points out, finances are the bigger issue than whether or not someone could be signed outside a smaller cap.
The Phoenix needed $950,000 from the Govt to get through this season. They will need more to get through to the start of next season. They will likely need some to start next season, depending on when and where it takes place.
The TV payment (which covers the cap) has roughly been halved, and depending what next season looks like owing to Covid-19, it might not all make it to the clubs – if say, it has to help pay for a bubble.
The Phoenix also have their academy and their proposed W-League team to run. There is going to be a tightening of purse strings.
Then you've got Hooper off contract likely heading back to the UK at season's end at a time when UK clubs will be finalising squads for the coming season, which has dates etc when the A-League just has a whole lot of questions. Same goes for Steinmann. Throw in the border restrictions which have these guys unable to come into NZ right now – would they get exemptions when they're not actually contracted beyond August 30?
Some very interesting times ahead with many, many unknowns.
That 50 million for Libby and 30 million for Callan Elliot halfway through next season is guna come in handy then. Any other class players training with Paul Ifill?