Comments on: The off season continues

By: ear tinnitus

ear tinnitus — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:46:33 +0000

ear tinnitus…

I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog ……

By: QFDaniel

QFDaniel — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:51:26 +0000

Actually,good post. thx

By: BillSaysThis

BillSaysThis — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:27:41 +0000

(IANAL disclaimer) Does MLS have an antitrust exemption? I can see the single entity structure being acceptable without it but not holding player rights after contract expiration! Signed paper or not, American law does not allow one to agree to an illegal act–e.g., you cannot sign a contract which says I can beat you senseless.

I have only the highest hopes for MLS’ success (despite the horrid way San Jose fans were treated when the ‘Dynamo’ ran away) but treating players like product and not people is never good.

Kasey, we’re behind you!

By: dabes2

dabes2 — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:25:59 +0000

I think the players requests are reasonable. Free agency alone can’t drive up salaries due to the salary cap and low minimum salaries. As long as the cap holds fairly low, the owners should be willing to give free agency. The guaranteed contract issue seems like a basic right for someone putting their body in harms way for their job.

Personally, I think the players might do better focusing on earning an increase in the minimum salaries. It’s the owners’ ability to hire a new guy for $20k that gives them courage in negotiating with the experienced rank-and-file player.

In other words, even with free agency, solid MLS vets will keep leaving for Scandanavia to get a decent paycheck and getting replaced by kids willing to play for nothing.

By: TheBeautifulGame

TheBeautifulGame — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:39:01 +0000

As I mentioned on the SoundersFc Forum this might be the time to discuss changing the current MLS refing system so the players and Coaches could Black Ball MLS referees
who are substandard. I felt along with thousand of others our game tickets were wasted by the poorly officiated games.
I know Kasey you can’t comment on the refing we got especially that Houstin Playoff Game! but if there was anyway to include changing it to like the College leagues where you could Black Ball the “Ref Logics” and save the Fans, Players and Coaches a lot of pain.

By: FriscoAndy

FriscoAndy — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:21:54 +0000

Kasey I understand what the players want, and that FIFA rights, not money, are at the front of these discussions. While I think you shouldn’t back down on guaranteed contracts, I’m concerned that the league may still be too young for free agency and/or free MLS movement. If I ran the league even I probably wouldn’t give you the last two items this CBA cycle because of my concern that the “marquee” teams in MLS could turn the league into a traveling circus similar to the NASL. Do you think you’d feel the same way if you played for a smaller market team?
Nevertheless, I hope things work out well because a strike would be devastating in a World Cup year.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:25:51 +0000

While this could set back MLS and soccer in the US in general in ANY year, this could be disastrous in a World Cup year. FIFA would also not look favorably on the US bid for 2018. In fact I think they are about ready to tell MLS to grow up… The league has done well since it’s inception, but it’s now time to be competitive in terms of attracting (and keeping) the best players. What the players are asking is incredibly reasonable and will be beneficial to the league if MLS would stop clinging to it’s worn out laurels and become proactive about making a new system work to everyone’s advantage.

By: Brizzle

Brizzle — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:12:00 +0000

As a big fan of the game around the world, and a big fan of MLS, I will stand with the players on this, whatever they decide. If it comes to a strike, so be it. You’re right to point out that this isn’t an issue of millionaires wanting more, but a genuine need for better salaries for what I would call “the working poor”. On some level, being paid to play soccer is a great privilege, but you should be paid real money, not the peanuts many of these professionals make. Hell, I make a decent wage working in an office, and I make more than most MLS players. It’s kinda sad.

A better CBA will lead to better footie and a stronger league, especially as it tries to recruit young foreigners with talent.

Stick to your guns!

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:00:02 +0000

The MLS has a long and sordid history of mistreating players.

This is the exact reason that the best and brightest young Americans leave to play in Europe. Not only do they get paid what they’re worth, they retain the basic rights afforded to them by FIFA.

Kenny Cooper found out the hard way recently how the league deals with issues like this.

There are several young Americans that are hesitant to come back because the league is resentful that they were passed over for Europe and offers lowball salaries (read – League Minimum … 34K/yr) when they offer to come back.

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:14:50 +0000

Love your comments Mr Keller.

I’ve been following the league since day one, been to too many matches to count, and absolutely look forward to MLS starting on time in 2010. However, if it comes to a lockout, then I understand. I feel like MLS is being less than honorable in their approach to players. What the players are asking for is pretty basic, in MANY professions. MLS has, at this point, rooted itself into American sports and is poised to grow. If a lockout hinders this growth, MLS has only itself to blame. Good luck Kasey, the fans are behind you!