Wherein I give up – and write about MLS, Labor, Strikes and Lockouts
by Steve Davis on Jan 27, 2010 10:45 AM EST
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I tried not to write about MLS labor discord.
I tired very, very hard.
Why? Because I never believed the current reach for peace would end in a strike or a lockout or anything like it. I still don’t believe so. Besides, writing about labor negotiations is tedious for me and probably rather boring for you to read about.
The only way to jazz it up is to sensationalize it, the way some have done.
Seriously, guys? They actually put these words together: “ … a strike that could wipe out the entire season.”
There’s a better chance that Lamar Hunt himself (rest in peace, sir) will rise from the grave and start a new life as a carnie than there is of prolonged strike. Simply put, both sides understand the potential destruction of such a nuclear option. It wouldn’t be pretty.
Alas, I had to dig into the issue for a piece on ESPN Soccernet, which should be posted in just a little while. (Now posted.)
What I implied, but never really outright said, is this: I get a strong feeling that a new CBA will be in place before Sunday’s deadline. Negotiators on both sides have been swell at keeping things professional and private, which is an encouraging sign. Any rancor has come from media voice or outside influencers (such as FIFPro, who no one over here had ever heard of ‘til a week ago) who fear a precedent.
As Pat Onstad from the Houston Dynamo told me, the threat of a strike or lockout was “about the only real bargaining chip” either side had. But he, like everyone else I talked to, remains cautiously optimistic things will be settled by Sunday.
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I hope you're right Stevo...
because our fair FCD will die on the vine if there is a prolonged strike/lockout. I may be the only one left at the stadium watching games if the 2 parties go nukes on each other. As usual, it will be the fans who suffer. But there will be much fewer of us….
Chad the Ref
Players have no bargaining chip
MLS was created after learning the lessons of MLB and NFL. It was formed in manner to legally control players. They already have free agency, its called go play in Turkey or a 3rd division in England.
Still up in the air
I still think they will fail to come to an agreement by Sunday, but I think both sides are smart enough to say “we are talking so let’s extend the current CBA or work without a contract for a month while we finalize the details”
I am no fan of unions in general, and god knows I am no fan of “the Don” but both have legit arguments on many of the topics, I think the number one issue for me is a level of transparency for the league. For too long we have been told how great everything is, but we all know that most teams are not making a profit yet and that many teams have huge debt from the early years or from building stadiums. Some honest disclosure from the owners and league would be a breath of fresh air, the players union makes every players salary public and if the league wants to be taken seriously they need to start being honest.
As I have said several times over the past months, including today, I believe the league is now suffering from several major partners that are indifferent about the league, namely Adidas and ESPN, both have long term deals and both treat the league poorly as far as helping the league grow. Adidas uses a cookie cutter for all MLS merchandise, while ESPN gives better coverage to the WNBA and little league baseball than MLS. I wonder if the league would play the same hardball with those partners as they are with their players? Perhaps then things like increasing the salary cap, raising minimum salaries for players would be much easier to get done.
They have no choice...
but to get this done. It may not be done by Sunday, but not for a lack of trying. I think an agreement will be made by this weekend after marathon bargaining sessions.
ESPN must do a better job of promoting games it will televise. It also must put highlites on Sportscenter. It wouldn’t kill them to do an MLS Minute segment that shows all of the goals from all of the games.
Chad the Ref
You've got to see this description.
Did you change your name recently Steve? Copied this from email sent from Soccer America
MLS and Players Union must settle
Daily Soccer Fix
Rick Davis believes that MLS and the Players Union will agree on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by Sunday’s deadline. A strike or lockout cannot be an option: “Simply put, both sides understand the potential destruction of such a nuclear option. It wouldn’t be pretty,” writes Davis.
He adds that negotiators on both sides have been swell at keeping things professional and private, which is an encouraging sign. Any rancor has come from media voice or outside influencers (such as FIFPro, who no one over here had ever heard of til a week ago) who fear a precedent.
Chad the Ref
Just call me Rick!
As long as it’s not, as one local radio station likes to say, “Rick with P” … yeah, one of those Soccer America dudes owes me a damn cold one next time I see ’em!
Word!
Ah, Ticket jargon! And I’d get more than 1 out of ’em if I were you!
Chad the Ref
