Essendon is facing some serious financial issues as it prepares to accept sanctions Essendon coach James Hird could be banned by the AFL. JAMES Hird could be handed a million-dollar holiday, with the league and Essendon yesterday still negotiating details of penalties, including whether he can be paid if suspended. The Essendon coach is contracted until the end of next year, with club chairman Paul Little raising the prospect on Saturday night of Hird being paid while sidelined. Keep Hird's seat warm Dons need creativity to build list Hird could spend time with his family, accept media deals, return to his marketing business, or embark on the Harvard business courses that are so popular in AFL circles. He could also be at Essendon in a non-coaching role, but that looks less likely. Melbourne was told by the league in February that official Chris Connolly could not be paid when banned for his role in the tanking saga. However, former Demons coach Dean Bailey was banned from a match-day role with Adelaide but continued working for the Crows and was paid. Hird faces different charges and a different negotiating team and could push to be paid as part of his guilty plea. Even if Hird is prevented from being paid by the league, he could return to the Bombers after suspension and negotiate a new deal on whatever terms they like. While some say Essendon should make a clean break with Hird, both Little and Hird expressed a strong desire for him to return to coaching in 2015. Little spoke at the weekend of the prospect of Hird being employed next year, but not as coach. "Look, I think that would depend on what the AFL set down as their requirements should a suspension go ahead," he said. In the Melbourne penalties, Bailey was suspended for 16 rounds. He was told that from Round 1 he was unable to coach any member of the Adelaide playing group or be involved on match day, but could still be involved in scouting opposition sides. If Hird is paid and the club hires a caretaker coach, it will be another financial consideration for a club facing massive debt issues. Essendon, already in $5 million debt for its move to the Melbourne Airport precinct, could face as much as $2 million in legal costs, and will have to accept a hefty fine. It has been estimated at between $1.75 million and $2.5 million but negotiations were continuing on Sunday night. A club with no debt a year ago could be in the red by as much as $9 million. But critically, the ability to start next season with the peptides scandal behind it will help rebuild a shattered club.