Seriously, what did we expect with this guy running the show?
Seriously, what did we expect with this guy running the show?
Stupid business management. The boost from a successful world cup would have been huge. The management needs to do some serious thinking about whether they want to throw all that invested cash down the drain or if they want to take advantage of what could be US Soccer's biggest year.
Its just a delay so they can finish the North Stand and install the grass.
Well, it's certainly a very real possibility that the league will fold and we will join a new one. If we do, I hope it will be run like any other league in the world, and that we'll have big, medium and small clubs. That's what I grew up, and that's the type of football competition I'm the most comfortable with in the end. The MLS as it is right now is just a little too plastic and franchise'y for me to truly get into - beyond simply supporting TFC. I'd like to see a league where the results were less random (thanks to all the parity) - would be more fun to watch the other games if that were indeed the case.
Finally.
Now something will actually get done.
Does anyone know the reason why the league wants to maintain so much control? The real reason. They keep saying they want to ensure the league survives and not make the same mistakes as the original NASL. Which is a good idea, this league is still young. There is a lot of comparison of MLS to leagues around the world. But soccer in North America isn't the same like the rest of the world. It needs a lot more nurturing than we realize. Most of us on this board, and even other MLS supporters were already footy fans. For MLS (or any soccer league for that matter) to survive, they need to develop new support for the game. There is probably a lot of business here we don't understand.
As a fan, all I really care about is the season is a go.
This is a positive development. The players are not pursuing a path designed to inflict maximum damage.
The league said they wouldn't lock the players out. While this had benefit of firming up their legal position vis-a-vis any future challenge to the "single entity", it really strengthened the player's position in the short run, because it gave the players the ability to strike at a time of their choosing.
The players can walk out two weeks into the season, or after the WC break, ie at a point where they could really hurt the league. By going out before the season starts, they minimize the damage to the brand.
Last edited by ensco; 03-11-2010 at 09:48 PM.
Yes, that's exactly the problem. The league is set up like a franchise business, like Mcdonalds or something, where every franchise is supposed to be the same.
That set-up can work for cheap fast-food where knowing what you're going to get at every franchise in the world is a big factor in choosing to eat there (because it certainly isn't the quality of the food ), I hope that it can't be replicated in something like a sports team. It would mean every city is exactly the same. I suppose we're heading towards that kind of homoginized, plastic world but it would be better if something held out against it.
The Reds say: To each according to their need; from each according to their ability.
I think any disruption in the season will harm football. whether it's a strike or a lock out it doesn't matter. this will damage TFC and this league. there's no room for errors here, soccer doesn't have the roots hockey does. just ask the Blizzard and NASL.
and it's a World Cup year...... i can see newbies not getting it but FFS this is a golden opportunity.
TORONTO FC, 2017 MLS CHAMPIONS!!! (Still the greatest in league history!)
The league needs to maintain some kind of responsible financial structure, but the players aren't making outrageous demands. The NASL boogy-man is a joke...no one is suggesting that the MLS teams should go after the modern day versions of Beckenbauer, Cruyff etc. and stack them all on one team. They're asking for a very modest raise to the salary cap, a raise to the minimum salary, the right to sign with a new team if you get let go by your current team, and guaranteed contracts for vetran players. If the players get everything that they're asking for, this is still going to be a bush league! If there are teams that can't afford what the players are asking for, then its time to move some franchises because if they can't afford what's being asked for now they're NEVER going to be able to afford the future.
We need to relax. There will be a season. If they do strike it won't last long. It will just delay the season. Besides some of these guys are paid less than the migrant farm workers in this country. I gotta say I'm behind them. And I support them all the way.
League starts building some momentum and popularity. Sounds like the perfect time to **** yourself!
Will they picket in front of BMO? Picket-line violence... a possibility?
Could there be scabs?
Also, I'm surprised there's no Quebec team getting screwed over by this... Remember when the Expos were in 1st place... strike. Remember when the Nordiques were becoming a contender... move and THEN win the cup! Funny for me, but not for them!
The players have to do what they have to do. People's livelihood are at stake. I can't believe that they would allow a CBA to expire in a World Cup year. That's just poor timing.
¡Vamos Celta!
From Ives...
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_b...rike-talk.html
As you would expect, Major League Soccer responded to recent comments from players about the state of MLS labor negotiations, as well as a report of a vote in favor of a strike. And as you would expect, the players union responded to that response.
Here is MLS president Mark Abbott, speaking to SBI:
"The meetings this week were productive and we have scheduled a number of additional meetings.Here is the response from Players Union chief Bob Foose via a written release:
"The players comments do not accurately reflect the proposals that we have made to address the players concerns or the productive nature of the discussions beteween MLS and the union."
“Recent comments from players simply reflect the fact that the players are unified and, per the results of our strike vote, will not begin the new season if a new agreement with the league is not reached. This is not a change in position by the Union and should not be read to reflect in any way upon what has, or has not, occurred this week in the meetings with the mediator and the league.”
The players are fully in the right to strike it if comes down to it. I would rather see MLS die and a breakaway league established that runs on principles of competition instead of the lowest common denominator.
When it gets down it, the players are only asking for a decent living wage for its young, a bit of security for its old and the right to work for all.
Last edited by koryo; 03-12-2010 at 08:55 AM.
If the league dies, don't fool yourself. TFC will die with it, just like the well-supported Blizzard died after the NASL folded. Bobo McClown will crow over the death of soccer. Investors will shun ever investing in this sport for another generation. It will be the end of a dream.
No, we can't have the MLS die and expect to see top flight footie in this nation.
What would be better would be a reform of how MLS does things.
Don't forget, the Bundesliga started out with nearly as many roster/salary restrictions as MLS has. That system lasted for years, but eventually got repealed. Now they only have individual team caps restricting salaries to a percentage of a team's revenue to prevent over-spending and debt. Change can happen, it happened in Germany, it can happen in North America.
MLS is a tough, physical league, that emphasizes speed, and features plastic fields, grueling travel, extreme weather, and incompetent refs. - NK Toronto
Yes, you're probably right. But it is a little different this time because some investors managed to get soccer stadiums built and there does seem to be a market for soccer in some cities and where there are buyers there are sellers.
The players aren't even asking for the end of the salary cap, they really have reasonable demands that some investors/owners should recognize as being reasonable.
Thank you +1. Funny how people forget how the weak franchises in NASL helped sink the ship. Should we really tie our fortunes to the weakest links.
As you said, some teams in this league (short of a miracle) are never going to get there. The business model as it stands right now does not work, it`s a formula for the weak to lose a small amount of money over time, but it gives them no incentive to improve.