The Collective Bargaining Agreement, or the discussions and eventual contract signing that will take place by January 31st, puts the MLS against the MLS Players Union in a clash that players hope will guarantee them more rights. While money is the main concern, guaranteed contracts is where most of the fighting is occurring, as the MLS has the power to terminate contracts before the players are finished as long as they do so before July 1st. The result is players do not get paid and that leaves some unhappy former-teammates clamoring for change.
It's unlikely the league will be able to offer everything that the union seeks, but I can imagine that the union also realizes this and has put up more 'wing and a prayer' type goals that will become a part of their next contract. Maybe it's a good thing that we have a SuperDraft... more business savvy players that graduate from college help create better agreements. I kid of course but it would make the Don uneasy.
Regardless, the players seem to be more upset about these slow proceedings than Garber, as he plays the role of devil's advocate towards the negative press many players have been giving the league in the past weeks:
We [MLS and the Players Union] are in regular meetings. We have met a half-dozen times. The formal discussions began six months ago, and like all leagues and unions, they have ebbs and flows and at times they become heated. I expect that this will be a difficult agreement to finalize, but I am very confident that we will be able to reach a productive agreement. Both we and the union are committed to that.Well then, it seems like the ol' Commish has got things in order. Problem is, January 31st is right around the corner in terms of the off season since teams start forming in that month. If a deal does not seem likely by mid-January, how many teams do you think will have complete squads? It might be in their contract to show up on obligated days, but to think that they are going to show up happy and focused is beyond natural thinking.
Garber's thoughts on a strike:
Any discussion about a strike or work stoppage is totally premature. It's way too early for anyone to come to that conclusion. It's counterproductive to what has been a very mutual commitment with our union to reach an agreement that will be good for management and good for players.I heavily doubt that the MLS will go on strike since the wages most of these players earn is hardly enough to go on for two years, let alone a couple months. Collecting a paycheck is almost as much work for young development players as it is riding the bench most weekends. Demoralizing an already crappy situation for them would almost kill any chance that talent youth would want to play in the MLS after college. A higher minimum salary would be a start, but is $22,000 going to allow you to survive in New York?
As fans, we can only hope that both sides will come away with something positive. If 'The Office' has proven anything to me, a win-win-win situation can happen. Perhaps we all sacrifice a little: players don't get everything they want, the league backs down a little, fans pay more at the door.
I'm not saying, "Let's stay together for the kids," but what I would like to see is a proper opening of Red Bull Arena and the inaugural match for Philadelphia Union. Destroying those two days because of the CBA is just going to ebb away at the credibility of this leasgue.
Just as importantly, I want to see players that are only focused on the game, and not on what injustices were done to them this winter. I would hate to see a picket line at the gates with players marching in with wooden signs in their hands instead of a soccer kid's.
Tomorrow: Garber talks about Expansion
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