The 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement Thread

[Initial B]

Since this is an important round of negotiations this year, do you think MLS is ready to take the training wheels off and significantly raise the cap? Will they loosen the free agent restrictions to 7 and 27, like the NHL? Will they get rid of all this xAM? Will the players strike? Will players or ownership try to negotiate a short agreement so they can bargain again after SUM negotiates the next media contract? All thoughts, opinions, and questions here!

[Ultra & Proud]

I think the deciding point like before will be the minimum salaries. That's going to be a big battle.

[Oldtimer]

Word is that the players are wanting to get rid of TAM and just have a higher cap.

[OgtheDim]

The players side of things is buried within this web page

http://mlsplayers.org/progress


Bargaining discussions in earnest today


MLSPA guy discussed at length today - see summary here https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1214617105191948288.html

[Oldtimer]

The players side of things is buried within this web page

http://mlsplayers.org/progress




I think most fans, sports writers, and many GMs would agree with this:


MLS oversees an overly complex and unnecessarily confusing system to build rosters and acquire players. The system is littered with acronyms that fans, commentators and players struggle to understand. Players are committed to working towards and fighting for a system that is more transparent, more fair and allows competition to happen not just on the field but between front offices as well.

[James17930]

Travel/Charter is a "hot button" issue per , noting several "disastrous" travel situations he has personally been involved in. He does say it is a difficult issue for (cost estimated to be over $20 million/year for full charters). #MLS (https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/MLS)#MLSPA (https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/MLSPA)

20 million a year to charter to every game. Wowza.

Yeah, that's going to be a tricky one. Going to have to be some compromise there.

[TFC/Everton]

Travel/Charter is a "hot button" issue per , noting several "disastrous" travel situations he has personally been involved in. He does say it is a difficult issue for (cost estimated to be over $20 million/year for full charters). #MLS (https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/MLS)#MLSPA (https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/MLSPA)

20 million a year to charter to every game. Wowza.

Yeah, that's going to be a tricky one. Going to have to be some compromise there.

Perhaps it's not that outrageous. $20mm divided by 30 MLS teams is roughly $667k per team. Equivalent to the price of a lower level TAM signing.

Most MLS teams are spending far more than that on DP transfer fees.

[OgtheDim]

The charter thing would actually save teams money in the long run but there are a lot of owners who don't think twice about NHL/NFL charters for their other teams but would balk at doing it for a league where the players are not the major revenue drivers.

[Captain]

Who are our three player reps on the PA?

[James17930]

Perhaps it's not that outrageous. $20mm divided by 30 MLS teams is roughly $667k per team. Equivalent to the price of a lower level TAM signing.

Most MLS teams are spending far more than that on DP transfer fees.

When I first read it I just thought '20 mil per team,' but upon reflection I realized that didn't make sense – it would be way too much.

So yeah, around $700k or so for each team ... you'd think they could just pool some money together for that or something. Or at least say, if the travel is further than X amount of miles you can charter, or something.

[portu]

Travel/Charter is a "hot button" issue per , noting several "disastrous" travel situations he has personally been involved in. He does say it is a difficult issue for (cost estimated to be over $20 million/year for full charters). #MLS (https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/MLS)#MLSPA (https://threadreaderapp.com/hashtag/MLSPA)

20 million a year to charter to every game. Wowza.

Yeah, that's going to be a tricky one. Going to have to be some compromise there.

They should just let teams arrange their own travel with no restrictions. Take the issue out of play completely.

[James17930]

They should just let teams arrange their own travel with no restrictions. Take the issue out of play completely.

But the problem there is that it creates an imbalance between the teams that can afford it and the teams that can't, and that chips away at the imposed parity of the league.

[ag futbol]

When I first read it I just thought '20 mil per team,' but upon reflection I realized that didn't make sense – it would be way too much.

So yeah, around $700k or so for each team ... you'd think they could just pool some money together for that or something. Or at least say, if the travel is further than X amount of miles you can charter, or something.
I’d like to see the number of charter flights dramatically increased. Short haul stuff with longer turn around times on each end can stay commercial if there needs to be cost savings.

Nobody should be flying cross country or on short turn around times with commercial flights. Just drains the players unnecessarily. I’m sure “how do you feel about waiting around the airport?” is a phrase often used when foreign players are told about MLS.

[Ultra & Proud]

I’d like to see the number of charter flights dramatically increased. Short haul stuff with longer turn around times on each end can stay commercial if there needs to be cost savings.

Nobody should be flying cross country or on short turn around times with commercial flights. Just drains the players unnecessarily. I’m sure “how do you feel about waiting around the airport?” is a phrase often used when foreign players are told about MLS.

I agree but they need to make a certain number mandatory or force them if a certain amount of travel miles + match times don't give the players sufficient rest. Leaving it to the team's discretion doesn't work because there's always a team like the Union who will use none of them like they did last season.

[Auzzy]

There could be stipulations. E.g. only direct commercial flights, and only up to a certain travel time, etc. Otherwise charter. In addition a minimum # of charter flights per year. (You wouldn't want a team from Chicago or another major hub city to have a huge disadvantage just because they have more short/direct flights available to more cities.)

If that means a team like Vancouver (out of the way) has to take more charter flights, the league could even pay for the difference and keep things equitable. Or in the case of another city with a minor airport and few direct flights.

[NK Toronto]

If the league eventually expands to 32 teams create an east and west conference whereby you only play teams in your conference during the season. This would significantly reduce travel. Imagine a scenario where the champion of each conference play against each other in a one game supporters shield championship, just prior to the MLS Cup Playoffs. This game could be played the weekend that the playoffs begin when the two conference champions have a bye for the first round. So there would a supporters shield final and an MLS Cup final. How great would that be

[Initial B]

If clubs only played in each conference, then I would expect MLS to grow to 36 clubs, allowing home and away matches against every other team in the conference for 36 games. That said, I don't see that happening because the two largest media markets would never play each other except in the playoffs, which would impact TV and streaming contract amounts.

[fergiejr]

Who are our three player reps on the PA?

Went looking for this today. Interestingly enough, TFC is the only logo that doesn't work.
Also, not sure when this was last updated.

https://mlsplayers.org/about-us/player-reps
https://twitter.com/MLSPA/status/1205585503967436800

[jabbronies]

Went looking for this today. Interestingly enough, TFC is the only logo that doesn't work.
Also, not sure when this was last updated.

https://mlsplayers.org/about-us/player-reps
https://twitter.com/MLSPA/status/1205585503967436800

I wouldn't be surprised if our Rep was Drew Moor

[Ultra & Proud]

Went looking for this today. Interestingly enough, TFC is the only logo that doesn't work.
Also, not sure when this was last updated.

https://mlsplayers.org/about-us/player-reps
https://twitter.com/MLSPA/status/1205585503967436800

Pretty sure I read Bradley was one of our reps last year.

[James17930]

Also Jozy. He talked about it in his year-end presser.

[Areathrasher]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPi58JMU8AAhvZs?format=jpg&name=900x900

[Ultra & Proud]

Extended to exaclty when our window opens. I think they're very close. Will probably be done in the next week.

[MikeForbes]

Gonna be very interesting to see the details of the new CBA. I hope the players can get a lot of the basic things they are fighting for like a minimum wage increase and no limits on chartered flights.

[Ultra & Proud]

Gonna be very interesting to see the details of the new CBA. I hope the players can get a lot of the basic things they are fighting for like a minimum wage increase and no limits on chartered flights.
I think the charters won't fully happen. Seems the owners really fought that one. I could see maybe the total allowable number of them go up a bit but not much. Got to keep parity for the cheapo owners.

[OgtheDim]

I think the charters won't fully happen. Seems the owners really fought that one. I could see maybe the total allowable number of them go up a bit but not much. Got to keep parity for the cheapo owners.

All indications are the players are focused on increasing free agency, increasing base wages and making sure any cap space can be applied to all players (i.e. ditch TAM) while the owners are focused on spending caps.

When you see that the majority of the Union Exec & team reps are veteran US-born guys, you know their priorities are different than the DP's.

[Chubbs]

Gonna be very interesting to see the details of the new CBA. I hope the players can get a lot of the basic things they are fighting for like a minimum wage increase and no limits on chartered flights.

if I recall correctly there was some sort of bonus paid out to players on teams that didn't use all their charter flights, and that for many of the people earning the league minimum getting that bonus cash was more important than the rigours of commercial travel in NA

[OgtheDim]

Agreement in place

BIG wins for the players on free agency - Marky Delgado, for example, a likely free agent next year

https://twitter.com/MLSPA/status/1225449231932149760/photo/1

& a good news report summary

https://sports.yahoo.com/mls-avoids-strike-agrees-to-a-new-collectivebargaining-agreement-with-its-players-160107679.html

[MikeForbes]

Gonna hire a lawyer to check these documents out for me.

[Yohan]

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/02/06/mls-mlspa-agree-new-cba-run-through-2024-season

[Areathrasher]

New “Under-22” Player initiative

Beginning in 2021, MLS will have the discretion to allow clubs to sign up to three players who are 22 years old or younger on a reduced charge to a club's salary budget. More details regarding the new initiative will be provided at a later date.


Hmmmmmm interesting


Designated Player spots

Clubs will continue to have the right to sign up to three Designated Players in the new CBA. The league will have the right to limit the compensation for the third Designated Player to the maximum TAM Salary, unless the player is 23 years old or younger, in which case there will be no limit.


That sucks.

[Areathrasher]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQGxu2oWAAEa8px?format=png&name=900x900

Not the type of jump I was hoping for.

[Oldtimer]

Glad for such a constructive bargaining leading to a solid agreement well before the season starts.

[ag futbol]

This is not a flashy new CBA with blow-the-doors off spending but if I am reading the info graphic correctly there are some really good concessions here that will help players and the quality of play in general: namely increased minimum salaries and more charter flights.

[OgtheDim]

One thing reading between the lines - they seem to have taken away the restrictions on charter flights & put in minimums. That is massive for a team like TFC who can choose now to fly to Cbus if they want.

[Oldtimer]

Most interesting is the conversion of league provided TAM into GAM. Discretionary TAM that big spenders like TFC and LAFC have used will still remain, but will decline as the salary budget ("cap") increases. This will have the effect of increasing parity again, benefitting smaller markets and decrease the advantage TFC has over smaller teams.

[TFC/Everton]

With the new DP rules, I wonder if this changes our Piatti signing? Does that mean his salary will be under the $1.65mm threshold? If so, can we buy him down with TAM and sign another DP this summer?

I am sure Manning and Ali have gamed all this out.

[OgtheDim]

Most interesting is the conversion of league provided TAM into GAM. Discretionary TAM that big spenders like TFC and LAFC have used will still remain, but will decline as the salary budget ("cap") increases. This will have the effect of increasing parity again, benefitting smaller markets and decrease the advantage TFC has over smaller teams.

The get to those teams seems to be in the charters & in the 3 young players who won't count as much against the cap (whatever that means).

But they are forcing teams out of using 3 in their prime DP's & having a VV with TAM.

We are unlikely to see the likes of a 2017 TFC ever again.

[Ultra & Proud]

With the new DP rules, I wonder if this changes our Piatti signing? Does that mean his salary will be under the $1.65mm threshold? If so, can we buy him down with TAM and sign another DP this summer?

I am sure Manning and Ali have gamed all this out.
Pretty sure this is why Piatti came into the picture earlier this week. They knew this was coming.

[ag futbol]

So if the player is signed when they are 23 or under as a DP does the club continue to get a reduced budget charge going forward? (Like, say Pavon)

[MikeForbes]

The get to those teams seems to be in the charters & in the 3 young players who won't count as much against the cap (whatever that means).

But they are forcing teams out of using 3 in their prime DP's & having a VV with TAM.

We are unlikely to see the likes of a 2017 TFC ever again.

Which is a great way to keep the league from progressing. CCL? Nah, who needs it? I am so excited to cheer for random Argentine youngster for a half a season while he angles for his move to *insert random European team*.

[OgtheDim]

Which is a great way to keep the league from progressing. CCL? Nah, who needs it? I am so excited to cheer for random Argentine youngster for a half a season while he angles for his move to *insert random European team*.

Welcome to lower league football.

Reality is every team but about 4 in the world are sellers and even those will sell if they see value dropping.

[Oldtimer]

Not the type of jump I was hoping for.

Don't forget that in the last two years, 25% of any increase in TV revenues over $100m will increase the amount. That could potentially be huge.

[MikeForbes]

The get to those teams seems to be in the charters & in the 3 young players who won't count as much against the cap (whatever that means).

But they are forcing teams out of using 3 in their prime DP's & having a VV with TAM.

We are unlikely to see the likes of a 2017 TFC ever again.


Welcome to lower league football.

Reality is every team but about 4 in the world are sellers and even those will sell if they see value dropping.

I have no problem with being a selling team or whatever, I just find it ridiculous that the league dictates that you have to sign certain players with the intention of selling them. They easily could of just added a young player slot and kept the 3 DP system. But, we need to keep finding ways to help FC Dallas or Vancouver remain relevant.

[Areathrasher]

Don't forget that in the last two years, 25% of any increase in TV revenues over $100m will increase the amount. That could potentially be huge.

Devil is in the detail....


Players to share media revenue

For the first time in league history, players will get a direct share of media rights revenue when MLS strikes its next round of deals that will start in 2023.


The league will increase player spending based on a formula that works as follows: First, take the total media rights revenue earned in 2022 and add $100 million to it. Then take the total earned in rights deals in 2023 (which the league logically expects to be a higher number).


Subtract the first number from the second, then take 25% of that total. That’s the sum that will be divided among the players in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.



All of MLS’ domestic and international rights deals expire at the end of the 2022 season.


You might be wondering what the total sum earned in 2022 will be. A source with knowledge of the situation said the league doesn’t know yet because there are clauses for years before then that will affect the 2022 figure.




Call me a cynic but given the shitty ratings I dont think there will be a 100M + increase per year in media rights.

[Initial B]

When I saw that first budget number column, my heart sank as I thought the cheapskate owners won again. But then I looked at the total including GAM and TAM and it looks like things are in better shape than I thought. I also liked that the Journeyman players will finally break the 6-figure salary mark and even the reserve wages should allow players a comfortable living. I was shocked at how soon players will be allowed to become free agents (forcing teams to either lock them into contracts earlier or sell them younger). It looks like the Charter flights will be mandatory for almost all club matches by 2024. The owners have really set the baseline for operations going forward. I can't see too many other unaccounted for operating expenses so future CBA uncertainty will be mainly regarding player wages.

I'd also like to point this out: In 2006 the MLS Salary Cap was $1.9 million US for the entire team. This was before the time of DPs, GAM, or TAM. In 2021, total team salaries will be $9.83 million US not including DP amounts above this total. That's a team salary increase of over 5 times in 15 years and top 15 salary-wise worldwide. If that rate of growth continues, then by 2035 team salaries will be over $50 Million US which will make it a top 5 league in the world for expenditures.

[OgtheDim]

...
Call me a cynic but given the shitty ratings I dont think there will be a 100M + increase per year in media rights.

SUM's / MLS carrot should have been WC 2026 rights, but Fox has those locked up already. What hasn't been locked up though is streaming rights.

[Super]

Extremely disappointed in the CBA. I was hoping for either a LARGE jump in salary cap to at least $25 million - or best case scenario no salary cap. We already spend $20 mil or so here at Toronto, but of course the league wants to dictate how we spend it. Mickey Mouse league - was before, and still remains so today. I'll continue to support TFC as a season ticket holder, but I wish we'd get rid of the plastic feeling the MLS has always had and joined the world of football. Maybe next time.

I'll celebrate by not buying the $170 jersey TFC has for sale. Why bother buying gear if it isn't going to new players anyway.

[Super]

When I saw that first budget number column, my heart sank as I thought the cheapskate owners won again. But then I looked at the total including GAM and TAM and it looks like things are in better shape than I thought. I also liked that the Journeyman players will finally break the 6-figure salary mark and even the reserve wages should allow players a comfortable living. I was shocked at how soon players will be allowed to become free agents (forcing teams to either lock them into contracts earlier or sell them younger). It looks like the Charter flights will be mandatory for almost all club matches by 2024. The owners have really set the baseline for operations going forward. I can't see too many other unaccounted for operating expenses so future CBA uncertainty will be mainly regarding player wages.

I'd also like to point this out: In 2006 the MLS Salary Cap was $1.9 million US for the entire team. This was before the time of DPs, GAM, or TAM. In 2021, total team salaries will be $9.83 million US not including DP amounts above this total. That's a team salary increase of over 5 times in 15 years and top 15 salary-wise worldwide. If that rate of growth continues, then by 2035 team salaries will be over $50 Million US which will make it a top 5 league in the world for expenditures.

Total for salary has gone up 5 fold. Expansion fee has gone up 30-fold. Attendance has gone up a lot as well. TV money and merch. Charlotte just paid between 300-325 million bucks for expansion fee. TFC paid $10 mil. I think this league is Micky Mouse, afraid and unambitious.

[ag futbol]

Total for salary has gone up 5 fold. Expansion fee has gone up 30-fold. Attendance has gone up a lot as well. TV money and merch. Charlotte just paid between 300-325 million bucks for expansion fee. TFC paid $10 mil. I think this league is Micky Mouse, afraid and unambitious.
I think it’s more so held back by a few cheap owners who 1) have memories of the bad times and think they are inherently owned something for having sunk money into losing operations 2) can’t get it through their thick skull this isn’t the top of the food chain and there’s a global war for talent + maybe even viewership

[Super]

I think it’s more so held back by a few cheap owners who 1) have memories of the bad times and think they are inherently owned something for having sunk money into losing operations 2) can’t get it through their thick skull this isn’t the top of the food chain and there’s a global war for talent + maybe even viewership

$300 million expansion fees being collected, and all we get is another $500k or so for the next season? Sure, that sounds about right. This league needs to ditch its training wheels - or stop telling me it has ambition to be a top 5 club in the world. That's a joke!

[C.Ronaldo]

$300 million expansion fees being collected, and all we get is another $500k or so for the next season? Sure, that sounds about right. This league needs to ditch its training wheels - or stop telling me it has ambition to be a top 5 club in the world. That's a joke!

agreed
enough with the baby steps

MLS is still living in their parents basements

[leafsman]

In most leagues expansion fees aren't included in the revenues that determines the cap. You'd have to see how profitable the league is when you take that out. Once they hit 30 teams they will probably stop expansion so you're not setting the cap based on that money.

[ag futbol]

In most leagues expansion fees aren't included in the revenues that determines the cap. You'd have to see how profitable the league is when you take that out. Once they hit 30 teams they will probably stop expansion so you're not setting the cap based on that money.
It’s not that expansion dollars are paying salaries, it’s that price tags on expansion represent increased acceptance of the business model and “value” in the business. Also implies they get more advert dollars etc.

So owners have profited handsomely from all this (at the very least on paper) while players (and arguably fans) aren’t seeing anywhere near the same upside.

[Auzzy]

One thing reading between the lines - they seem to have taken away the restrictions on charter flights & put in minimums. That is massive for a team like TFC who can choose now to fly to Cbus if they want.

That would be great news! However the CBA just specifies the minimum number of charter flights. The league could easily still dictate the maximum number of charters to the teams -- set at a number that matches, or is only a bit higher than the minimums as per CBA for example. We shall see.

[Auzzy]

One thing reading between the lines - they seem to have taken away the restrictions on charter flights & put in minimums. That is massive for a team like TFC who can choose now to fly to Cbus if they want.


That would be great news! However the CBA just specifies the minimum number of charter flights. The league could easily still dictate the maximum number of charters to the teams -- set at a number that matches, or is only a bit higher than the minimums as per CBA for example. We shall see.

Checking the Yahoo article, there's a bit more good news about this:
"Additionally, teams will be required to fly private to all MLS Cup playoff games and CONCACAF Champions League matches involving international travel."

[leafsman]

The big part of the deal is the share of media rights. If they get a big contract when the current rights expire in 2022, that's where all the revenue growth will come from and will then increase the cap. The current deal only gives teams about 3 million each and that will probably sky rocket in the next deal.

[Joe Kool]

Glad I am not having to figure all this out and make it work. I just go to enjoy (hopefully) the end product. :)

[Richard]

When I saw that first budget number column, my heart sank as I thought the cheapskate owners won again. But then I looked at the total including GAM and TAM and it looks like things are in better shape than I thought. I also liked that the Journeyman players will finally break the 6-figure salary mark and even the reserve wages should allow players a comfortable living. I was shocked at how soon players will be allowed to become free agents (forcing teams to either lock them into contracts earlier or sell them younger). It looks like the Charter flights will be mandatory for almost all club matches by 2024. The owners have really set the baseline for operations going forward. I can't see too many other unaccounted for operating expenses so future CBA uncertainty will be mainly regarding player wages.

I'd also like to point this out: In 2006 the MLS Salary Cap was $1.9 million US for the entire team. This was before the time of DPs, GAM, or TAM. In 2021, total team salaries will be $9.83 million US not including DP amounts above this total. That's a team salary increase of over 5 times in 15 years and top 15 salary-wise worldwide. If that rate of growth continues, then by 2035 team salaries will be over $50 Million US which will make it a top 5 league in the world for expenditures.

It will not continue to grow at the same rate considering the TV numbers are abysmal.

[Oldtimer]

or best case scenario no salary cap.

As someone who saw the original NASL collapse, I would not want no salary cap. Even if your team is the high spending team, who wants to be the Cosmos when the league that gives you meaning collapses?

[Initial B]

$300 million expansion fees being collected, and all we get is another $500k or so for the next season? Sure, that sounds about right. This league needs to ditch its training wheels - or stop telling me it has ambition to be a top 5 club in the world. That's a joke!
Currently MLS is Top 15 in the world in team salaries (top 10%), just behind the CSL and Saudi League. In terms of quality, I couldn't tell you, since we can't seem to make it out of CCL to compare against other Confederations. They're trying to raise the quality, but they don't want inflation getting out of hand where they are overpaying for domestic talent. The overall domestic playerbase is improving so they are due for a raise based on performance, like Rooney said.

[portu]

$300 million expansion fees being collected, and all we get is another $500k or so for the next season? Sure, that sounds about right. This league needs to ditch its training wheels - or stop telling me it has ambition to be a top 5 club in the world. That's a joke!
The expansion fee may well be what is keeping this league from really losing money.

But yes, ditch the fucking training wheels. This is a joke. And the DP rule basically getting restricted is a poor move as well.

[James17930]

This CBA seems to signal that the league wants to focus even more on domestic players. Ditching TAM in favour of GAM, limiting the third DP, raising minimum salaries ... all these things point to local player development. I think the real winners here are going to be the clubs that have already invested well in their academies.

Luckily we have.

[Gazza_55]

With the new DP rules, I wonder if this changes our Piatti signing? Does that mean his salary will be under the $1.65mm threshold? If so, can we buy him down with TAM and sign another DP this summer?

I am sure Manning and Ali have gamed all this out.

There is no new DP rule for the 2020 season. There isn’t yet an Under 23 DP rule in the new CBA. They could pay Piatti whatever they want

[Gazza_55]

Devil is in the detail....



Call me a cynic but given the shitty ratings I dont think there will be a 100M + increase per year in media rights.

It will be way more than $100m increase in the next TV deal.

[Initial B]

Last deal they only had 20 teams. At the time of the next deal there will be 50% more teams in pretty much every major media market in the US save Detroit (I expect Phoenix to get a spot in the next 2 years). Networks will take notice.

[Oldtimer]

There is no new DP rule for the 2020 season. There isn’t yet an Under 23 DP rule in the new CBA. They could pay Piatti whatever they want

If I remember correctly, Vancouver and Dallas are prominent members of the MLS competition committee and are likely the forces pushing for the new rules to be adopted. It's actually quite likely they will go through and TFC knows this (the board usually just rubber stamps the competition committee decisions).

It's a brilliant political move. The cheapest teams in MLS get to effectively force their competitors to replace their DPS with TAM-level players, all the while framing it as an "incentive for developing younger players." So say a Vancouver can be more competitive with a high spending team like TFC without spending a dime because TFC is forced to spend less.

[OgtheDim]

If I remember correctly, Vancouver and Dallas are prominent members of the MLS competition committee and are likely the forces pushing for the new rules to be adopted. It's actually quite likely they will go through and TFC knows this (the board usually just rubber stamps the competition committee decisions).

It's a brilliant political move. The cheapest teams in MLS get to effectively force their competitors to replace their DPS with TAM-level players, all the while framing it as an "incentive for developing younger players." So say a Vancouver can be more competitive with a high spending team like TFC without spending a dime because TFC is forced to spend less.

The sad part of this is there is no freaking way Dallas or Vancouver are going to spend big DP level money on a 3rd guy that is under 23 in order to sell him on. They are not going to do an Almiron. Heck, nobody but LAFC & Atlanta have tried that.

The cheap teams do often go with 3 DP's, but its at a much smaller amount, juggling guys between TAM/GAM & DP.

[MikeForbes]

Really hope when the time comes for TFC to get that U23 DP they splurge big time to lure someone you wouldn't think would come to MLS yet. Someone like Giorgi Chakvetadze.

[Smokecell]

In a truly hilarious move Dallas has marketed a Mexican Superstars Package including games against Vela, Pulido and Chicharito. Not only do these guys not want to spend but they are marketing other teams DPs to sell tickets. What a joke that they had pull in this CBA.

[C.Ronaldo]

In a truly hilarious move Dallas has marketed a Mexican Superstars Package including games against Vela, Pulido and Chicharito. Not only do these guys not want to spend but they are marketing other teams DPs to sell tickets. What a joke that they had pull in this CBA.

why do they want to keep a team in MLS?
wouldn't they be better off as event coordinators and hold friendly or BS tournament?

[C.Ronaldo]

The sad part of this is there is no freaking way Dallas or Vancouver are going to spend big DP level money on a 3rd guy that is under 23 in order to sell him on. They are not going to do an Almiron. Heck, nobody but LAFC & Atlanta have tried that.

The cheap teams do often go with 3 DP's, but its at a much smaller amount, juggling guys between TAM/GAM & DP.

thats my take.

if they dont have the money to sign a big DP, they wont have the money to set up scouting infrastructure and then take the risk and sign a prospect

[Oldtimer]

In a truly hilarious move Dallas has marketed a Mexican Superstars Package including games against Vela, Pulido and Chicharito. Not only do these guys not want to spend but they are marketing other teams DPs to sell tickets. What a joke that they had pull in this CBA.

Absolutely pathetic...

[OgtheDim]

Jozy tweeted something in response but Parkhurst said it best

https://twitter.com/MFparkhurst/status/1226947774123577344

[spe18]

If I remember correctly, Vancouver and Dallas are prominent members of the MLS competition committee and are likely the forces pushing for the new rules to be adopted. It's actually quite likely they will go through and TFC knows this (the board usually just rubber stamps the competition committee decisions).

It's a brilliant political move. The cheapest teams in MLS get to effectively force their competitors to replace their DPS with TAM-level players, all the while framing it as an "incentive for developing younger players." So say a Vancouver can be more competitive with a high spending team like TFC without spending a dime because TFC is forced to spend less.

Ahhh, yes, the league's wonderful "product strategy committee :). So not well known that I haven't be able to find anything on this on the league's website. According to this article posted on The Athletic (https://theathletic.com/1520302/2020/01/08/sources-mls-considering-changes-to-dp-rule-to-encourage-young-player-signings/), the writer believes, that as per sources, here is who that is on this committee that makes the decisions which are the typically rubber stamped by the league's board of governors:

FC Dallas' Clark Hunt and Vancouver's Greg Kerfoot are the co-chairs of this committee, and have influential voices in this group. Then you also have the following teams represented:

- Seattle Sounders
- Portland Timbers
- LA FC
- New York Red Bulls
- NYC FC
- LA Galaxy
- Atlanta United
- Sporting KC

If these sources are correct, it appears that this committee is represented evenly between high spending and low spending teams. Though some of the high spending teams also have young DPs.

This is a key sentence in that article:

"And while they don’t spend all that much money, some of the more budget-conscious clubs wield significant influence in these types of discussions."

I recall when Tim Bezbechenko, at a fan event in 2015, was asked if there were plans to put in a 4th DP. He indicated there wasn't, as some of the teams didn't even want to use the 3rd DP slot, let along a 4th. He then went on to say this league was designed to be "competitively neutral".

[Oldtimer]

^ yeah, it's likely that the chairs are setting the agenda, that's probably why they've managed to pull this off.




"And while they don’t spend all that much money, some of the more budget-conscious clubs wield significant influence in these types of discussions."




It's brilliant politically, they can claim "we're not being cheap, we just want to promote youth development," all the while it's actually them being cheap and wanting to lower the league to their level.

IMO this is the wrong way to go. MLS needs to be competitive at a minimum with Mexico, which requires a larger investment, not a smaller one.

[Red CB Toronto]

Is the salary ceiling on using your third DP spot for a veteran player at the discretion of the league or is it set in stone only being able to pay them the max tam price ?

[Oldtimer]

Is the salary ceiling on using your third DP spot for a veteran player at the discretion of the league or is set in stone?

League discretion, the CBA just allows the league to do this. Obviously in anticipation that it's possibly going through.

What is set in stone is the number of charter flights. It isn't a minimum, it's the actual number of flights, period.

[Red CB Toronto]

League discretion, the CBA just allows the league to do this. Obviously in anticipation that it's possibly going through.

It will be very interesting to see what the first example is of the MLS using its discretion on such a DP signing ? I assume it would be a signing of an over the hill name player but who knows ?

[Oldtimer]

It will be very interesting to see what the first example is of the MLS using its discretion on such a DP signing ? I assume it would be a signing of an over the hill name player but who knows ?

If I believe what people are saying, Piatti is the first such signing.

[Red CB Toronto]

If I believe what people are saying, Piatti is the first such signing.

I was not sure the terms and length of the deal was they were not really discussed in the announcement. Is Piatti actually on loan to the Reds right now since I did read his deal in Spain expires in June.

[leafsman]

I was not sure the terms and length of the deal was they were not really discussed in the announcement. Is Piatti actually on loan to the Reds right now since I did read his deal in Spain expires in June.

I believe they released him, thought i read that somewhere

[notthesun]

I believe they released him, thought i read that somewhere

Espanyol and Piatti mutually terminated the last months of his deal, so we got him on a free transfer, no loan.

[Red CB Toronto]

Espanyol and Piatti mutually terminated the last months of his deal, so we got him on a free transfer, no loan.

If that is the case how long is his deal with Toronto then?

[Auzzy]

If that is the case how long is his deal with Toronto then?

1 year + 1 year club option.

[Ultra & Proud]

So are transfer fees still being amortized against the cap?

[Oldtimer]

So are transfer fees still being amortized against the cap?

No reported change, I guess we'll know for sure if the written complete document is released.