World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

I understand that soccer leagues in other parts of the world may have different policies regarding free agents, but how did an American league not have free agency to begin with? It amazes me something so ingrained in American sport was left out. I know MLS was 20 years ago, but still, Curt Flood and all those cases were already 20 years old at that point.

In fact, reading up on it more, the other three major leagues joined in creating a free agency policy right around when MLS was founded. Did MLS just think they could sneak it under the radar, it worked, and now 20 years later they're finally going "welp, ya caught us!"?

Because all other american soccer leagues had failed due to overspending...chasing "talent." It was built in restraint...

 

[Jimjamesak]

I understand that soccer leagues in other parts of the world may have different policies regarding free agents, but how did an American league not have free agency to begin with? It amazes me something so ingrained in American sport was left out. I know MLS was 20 years ago, but still, Curt Flood and all those cases were already 20 years old at that point.

In fact, reading up on it more, the other three major leagues joined in creating a free agency policy right around when MLS was founded. Did MLS just think they could sneak it under the radar, it worked, and now 20 years later they're finally going "welp, ya caught us!"?

Because they technically have "free agency". The player contracts are owned by the league so when the contract is up the player can move anywhere in the world they want, just not in MLS.

Fraser vs MLS was the court case.

 

[FreshFish]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

I understand that soccer leagues in other parts of the world may have different policies regarding free agents, but how did an American league not have free agency to begin with? It amazes me something so ingrained in American sport was left out. I know MLS was 20 years ago, but still, Curt Flood and all those cases were already 20 years old at that point.

In fact, reading up on it more, the other three major leagues joined in creating a free agency policy right around when MLS was founded. Did MLS just think they could sneak it under the radar, it worked, and now 20 years later they're finally going "welp, ya caught us!"?

There are two components to an answer, and please don't ask me to defend them, I am merely stating them as I understand them.
1) MLS is unique in that it has a "single ownership entity" structure in some form or fashion: in MLB / NFL / NBA / NHL, the owners compete with each other to sign the best players, in MLS, as a "single ownership entity structure" (whatever that means!), in a sense they would be bidding against themselves for free agents. Someone else I am sure could explain it better but the basic idea is, any incremental extra money spent to lure a free agent is that much less money that can be spent on something else (the league has one overall combined budget somehow compared to the 4 other sports in which each team has its own separate budget).
2) MLS competes with the rest of the world for soccer talent. While that is true to some extent with the NHL and NBA, generally the NHL and NBA are viewed as the "best in the world" and the teams with deepest pockets worldwide. MLS is neither the best in the world nor the soccer entity with deepest pockets. MLS views European league teams (and to some extent Mexican league, I suppose) as the competition or free agents, not other MLS teams.

They were always very upfront about it, there actually was a court case IIRC about it a dozen years ago or so, and MLS won. (Jimjamesak posted the details in # 42 while I was typing...)

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

There are two components to an answer, and please don't ask me to defend them, I am merely stating them as I understand them.
1) MLS is unique in that it has a "single ownership entity" structure in some form or fashion: in MLB / NFL / NBA / NHL, the owners compete with each other to sign the best players, in MLS, as a "single ownership entity structure" (whatever that means!), in a sense they would be bidding against themselves for free agents. Someone else I am sure could explain it better but the basic idea is, any incremental extra money spent to lure a free agent is that much less money that can be spent on something else (the league has one overall combined budget somehow compared to the 4 other sports in which each team has its own separate budget).
2) MLS competes with the rest of the world for soccer talent. While that is true to some extent with the NHL and NBA, generally the NHL and NBA are viewed as the "best in the world" and the teams with deepest pockets worldwide. MLS is neither the best in the world nor the soccer entity with deepest pockets. MLS views European league teams (and to some extent Mexican league, I suppose) as the competition or free agents, not other MLS teams.

They were always very upfront about it, there actually was a court case IIRC about it a dozen years ago or so, and MLS won. (Jimjamesak posted the details in # 42 while I was typing...)

The biggest part I hate about this is the allocation of Nat Team players and the fact that if you leave for another league and come back, technically, the team that had you when you left still controls your rights...you'd think if they left as a free agent that wouldn't be the case...

 

[Jimjamesak]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

Couple of tidbits:

r/mls on reddit has a pretty good live thread going with the best news updates.

The Independent Supporters Council released a statement supporting the players with a supposed unanimous vote.

The latest offer had FA at 27 years old and 7 seasons with a max 10% salary increase, plus an 8 year CBA.

Finally, there are media reports of dissension among the owners with newer owners like Orlando and NYCFC wanting a deal done and some older owners willing to hold out.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

Couple of tidbits:

r/mls on reddit has a pretty good live thread going with the best news updates.

The Independent Supporters Council released a statement supporting the players with a supposed unanimous vote.

The latest offer had FA at 27 years old and 7 seasons with a max 10% salary increase, plus an 8 year CBA.

Finally, there are media reports of dissension among the owners with newer owners like Orlando and NYCFC wanting a deal done and some older owners willing to hold out.

That last one isn't at all a surprise
27 seems a little high but possible, the only real problem is being stuck with that number for 8 years
What is the average age of a player when they start in the league? 7 seems too long for most 27 yos to be eligible

 

[Jimjamesak]

That last one isn't at all a surprise
27 seems a little high but possible, the only real problem is being stuck with that number for 8 years
What is the average age of a player when they start in the league? 7 seems too long for most 27 yos to be eligible

Most players are starting out of college at 20, 21, 22. The 8 year length is probably the biggest hold up, no way the PU accepts it.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

Most players are starting out of college at 20, 21, 22. The 8 year length is probably the biggest hold up, no way the PU accepts it.

27 is high but also seems reasonable for going from no FA to FA. It really is the league service time that is a hang up like you said.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

Following this on social media has been a hoot. People on reddit grouped together to send flowers to both sides. 4 reporters have been camped outside the Federal Mediator's office for a day. Bob Ley sounding like a disappointed father on Sports Center.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

Welp, looks like they've reached a deal according to reports. I know this may be a foreign concept to hockey but apparently they reached a compromise.

 

[JF_Gophers]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

Welp, looks like they've reached a deal according to reports. I know this may be a foreign concept to hockey but apparently they reached a compromise.

Or one side caved...

 

[Jimjamesak]

Or one side caved...

True.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Or one side caved...

In true soccer fashion, it's a tie.

5 year deal
Free Agency to players 28 years old and older with 8 years in the league.
Maximum salary increases for FA's between 15-25% depending on previous salary.
Minimum salary increases from $36.5k to $60k.
Salary cap increase.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

In true soccer fashion, it's a tie.

5 year deal
Free Agency to players 28 years old and older with 8 years in the league.
Maximum salary increases for FA's between 15-25% depending on previous salary.
Minimum salary increases from $36.5k to $60k.
Salary cap increase.

sounds like a good deal for players, they got free agency in some form and the deal is only 5 years...plus the minimum drastically increases.

 

[Jimjamesak]

sounds like a good deal for players, they got free agency in some form and the deal is only 5 years...plus the minimum drastically increases.

Yeah, it's not a perfect deal for them but it's pretty good.

Wonder if there's anything to the dissension among the owners behind the compromise. I know the players authorized a strike last night.

 

[JF_Gophers]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

I'm glad the minimum wage guys got a boost. That FA deal is fairly poor as I bet few qualify still. If most guys come in at 21+ it effectively makes the min. age even higher.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

I'm glad the minimum wage guys got a boost. That FA deal is fairly poor as I bet few qualify still. If most guys come in at 21+ it effectively makes the min. age even higher.

True but it's a start and with the deal only at 5 years it can be changed again soon enough. This is the case of a slippery slope in s good way. The players got some kind of free agency and now have a starting place to get better free agency in 2020.

 

[FreshFish]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

True but it's a start and with the deal only at 5 years it can be changed again soon enough. This is the case of a slippery slope in s good way. The players got some kind of free agency and now have a starting place to get better free agency in 2020.

It also gives the players and owners a chance to observe how expansion and the new TV deal work out and make adjustments for the last three years of the latter.

 

[Jimjamesak]

True but it's a start and with the deal only at 5 years it can be changed again soon enough. This is the case of a slippery slope in s good way. The players got some kind of free agency and now have a starting place to get better free agency in 2020.

They managed to go from almost nothing to some form of free agency and a huge minimum salary raise. That's a victory in and of itself, especially given how sports CBAs have gone lately.

It's funny to read the reactions online. I guess people were expecting these massive changes and are angry it didn't happen yet.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: World Soccer XXVI: Fun for MLS Fans and Eurosnobs Alike

So when's the MLS going to a relegation format with the USL?