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MLS Strike

So, the MLS players decided to strike if no CBA is reached by March 25th.  The biggest issue is apparently the union's desire to challenge the single entity system.  Now, let me be clear, I do not see how free agency would plunge the league into financial disaster if the salary cap was kept in place.  If you can't spend say over $2 million, then you can't spend over $2 million, thus I am on the side of the players.  I think the owners should put revenue sharing in place, despite the minimal revenues at the moment, and should adopt a restricted/unrestricted free agency policy like the NFL.  Maybe to keep costs down, have the restriction be lifted after say 4 or 5 years.  With that being said, I don't know if the decision to vote for a strike was a wise one.  Bringing in a Federal mediator was a sign of good faith by both sides, a sign I fear the players may have pissed away.  The truth is, soccer is still growing in this country, its not particularly profitable if at all so the owners have a point.  In this case of labor relations, the owners are not the Andrew Carnegie's making billions while utilizing slave labor.  My fear is, a strike may destroy everything.  MLS fans are still by and large curious, still checking the league out.  I should know, I am one of them.  My first MLS game will be Red Bulls-Santos on the 20th.  From what MLS I've seen at the end of last year and the CONCACAF game on Tuesday, I like what I see.  I am quite sure there are many more out there like me, many of whom don't know the full story behind the labor talks.  If they see MLS go away, will they ever come back?  I'm not so sure they will.  Hockey for example, is still struggling after that lockout.   With that scary prospect of the fledgling American soccer fanbase disappearing, isn't it possible the owners, who for the most part have lost money, just throw their hands up and say good riddance?  That is what I am afraid of.  I think the players should have played the season on good faith and gone from there.  They should have gone on strike next season.  The players best bet right now is that Columbus beats Toluca next Wednesday.  That way the owners are a little more eager to bargain so they're not embarrassed by having to forfeit in the semis of the CONCACAF Champions League.

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Salary Cap

Salary caps only prevent bidding on free agents from getting out of hand for top level talent. It will not prevent bidding from getting out of hand for aged veterans and drive their salaries from 70k/year to 200k/year. I’m not sure that MLS can afford that, especially in this economy. We have double digit unemployment and there are 7 applicants for every job opening… and the players are going to strike in this environment because they want more than the 4% raise they are being offered? They are nuts!

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by johnjahafanclub on Mar 12, 2010 5:23 PM EST reply actions  

I agree here

MLS is not the profit rearing monster that the NFL or the MLB is. The MLS players have to face the fact that even though they have a die hard fan base, it is a small die hard fan base. You do not have the many casual fans that keep the other sports as profitable as they are. This strike, if it goes through, could very well signal the end of this version of the MLS. The majority of the players will end up playing for semi pro leagues or having to get out of soccer altogether. A select few will be picked up by european leagues.
The players need to realize that although the growth is slow, it is evident. ESPN has taken a much larger interest in broadcasting the games and I have seen more and more soccer highlights on the top 10 plays as of the last few years. The system is growing slightly, but for them to force these demands at this juncture is just a mistake.
They should keep the rules as is until they can see the results of their hardships and labor, having a profound effect on America’s sports culture.

"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins

"All I have in this world is my balls and my word and I don't break them for no one." Scarface

by Talon Talent on Mar 22, 2010 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

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