Comments on: Is free agency necessary to avoid MLS work stoppage? http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2010/01/22/mls-free-agency-necessary-to-avoid-strike/ Philadelphia Union, Independence and more Philly soccer news and history Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:40:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The Philly Soccer Page » KYW’s Philly Soccer Show: Jeff Larentowicz sits in http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2010/01/22/mls-free-agency-necessary-to-avoid-strike/comment-page-1/#comment-2203 The Philly Soccer Page » KYW’s Philly Soccer Show: Jeff Larentowicz sits in Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:54:52 +0000 http://phillysoccerpage.com/?p=1500#comment-2203 [...] national team prospect. Considering his unique standpoint — Larentowicz was practically the poster child for MLS’s refusal to allow free agency this winter — and his intelligent approach to the game, it’s definitely an interview [...] [...] national team prospect. Considering his unique standpoint — Larentowicz was practically the poster child for MLS’s refusal to allow free agency this winter — and his intelligent approach to the game, it’s definitely an interview [...]

]]> By: The Philly Soccer Page » Blog Archive » Time to fold ‘em? MLS strike nears with no sign of compromise http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2010/01/22/mls-free-agency-necessary-to-avoid-strike/comment-page-1/#comment-324 The Philly Soccer Page » Blog Archive » Time to fold ‘em? MLS strike nears with no sign of compromise Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:21:06 +0000 http://phillysoccerpage.com/?p=1500#comment-324 [...] you tired of the strike talks? Or do you think the players should continue holding their ground in their press for free agency and guaranteed contracts? Where do you think the compromise should be? Weigh in below. [...] [...] you tired of the strike talks? Or do you think the players should continue holding their ground in their press for free agency and guaranteed contracts? Where do you think the compromise should be? Weigh in below. [...]

]]> By: CBA Negotiations Turn Sour, Now What? « Keepin' it Real http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2010/01/22/mls-free-agency-necessary-to-avoid-strike/comment-page-1/#comment-184 CBA Negotiations Turn Sour, Now What? « Keepin' it Real Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:04:33 +0000 http://phillysoccerpage.com/?p=1500#comment-184 [...] Is free agency necessary to avoid MLS work stoppage? – Dan Walsh, The Philly Soccer Page [...] [...] Is free agency necessary to avoid MLS work stoppage? – Dan Walsh, The Philly Soccer Page [...]

]]> By: Dan Walsh http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2010/01/22/mls-free-agency-necessary-to-avoid-strike/comment-page-1/#comment-183 Dan Walsh Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:56:42 +0000 http://phillysoccerpage.com/?p=1500#comment-183 Chris, check the case out at http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=1st&navby=docket&no=011296 -- particularly this section: "On April 19, 2000, the district court granted MLS summary judgment on both counts, holding that MLS and its operator/investors comprised a single entity and as such, could not conspire in violation of section 1. Fraser v. Major League Soccer, LLC, 97 F. Supp. 2d 130, 135-39 (D. Mass. 2000)." That's what you're referring to, no? Chris, check the case out at http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=1st&navby=docket&no=011296 — particularly this section:

“On April 19, 2000, the district court granted MLS summary judgment on both counts, holding that MLS and its operator/investors comprised a single entity and as such, could not conspire in violation of section 1. Fraser v. Major League Soccer, LLC, 97 F. Supp. 2d 130, 135-39 (D. Mass. 2000).”

That’s what you’re referring to, no?

]]> By: Chris http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2010/01/22/mls-free-agency-necessary-to-avoid-strike/comment-page-1/#comment-85 Chris Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:14:37 +0000 http://phillysoccerpage.com/?p=1500#comment-85 I'm not sure you are correct about Fraser and single entity. My recollection is that the court decided the case on other grounds and never ruled on single entity. I’m not sure you are correct about Fraser and single entity. My recollection is that the court decided the case on other grounds and never ruled on single entity.

]]> By: Dan Walsh http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2010/01/22/mls-free-agency-necessary-to-avoid-strike/comment-page-1/#comment-84 Dan Walsh Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:01:04 +0000 http://phillysoccerpage.com/?p=1500#comment-84 Yeah, the Bosman ruling is essentially what created Europe's version of free agency, but it basically has no effect on MLS. Pretty much every major sports league there's ever been has tried to prevent free agency. All that said, I wouldn't put money on a work stoppage. I think they'll find a way to avoid it. Jan. 31 is when the CBA expires, but their real deadline is opening day. Yeah, the Bosman ruling is essentially what created Europe’s version of free agency, but it basically has no effect on MLS. Pretty much every major sports league there’s ever been has tried to prevent free agency.

All that said, I wouldn’t put money on a work stoppage. I think they’ll find a way to avoid it. Jan. 31 is when the CBA expires, but their real deadline is opening day.

]]> By: Ed Farnsworth http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2010/01/22/mls-free-agency-necessary-to-avoid-strike/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Ed Farnsworth Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:55:16 +0000 http://phillysoccerpage.com/?p=1500#comment-83 You're right Andrew about European labor laws making the difference here, specifically the Bosman ruling of 1995. Quoting from Wikipedia, "The case was an important decision on the free movement of labour and had a profound effect on the transfers of football players within the EU. The case banned restrictions of foreign EU members within the national leagues and allowed professional football players in the European Union (EU) to move freely to another club at the end of their term of contract with their present team." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosman_ruling You’re right Andrew about European labor laws making the difference here, specifically the Bosman ruling of 1995. Quoting from Wikipedia, “The case was an important decision on the free movement of labour and had a profound effect on the transfers of football players within the EU. The case banned restrictions of foreign EU members within the national leagues and allowed professional football players in the European Union (EU) to move freely to another club at the end of their term of contract with their present team.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosman_ruling

]]> By: Ed Farnsworth http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2010/01/22/mls-free-agency-necessary-to-avoid-strike/comment-page-1/#comment-82 Ed Farnsworth Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:37:39 +0000 http://phillysoccerpage.com/?p=1500#comment-82 Great round up of the issues and, to the extent that big name players have been the leading mouthpieces for the player's positions, free agency does seem to be something of a solution. As someone who looks to Europe for my sense of how soccer is supposed to be run, it can be easy to forget the very real distinctions of soccer in America. And, it's important to note that some in Europe have been looking at the MLS model as an answer to some of the problems they have there. I am always going to lean toward the players in most issues (average pay is an embarrassment) but I think Lalas is naive when he says something like "it's time to take the training wheels off." (Perhaps such a naive outlook explains the fact that he's no longer involved in management in the MLS?) The league is still expanding, attendance levels are schizophrenic across the league, TV viewership is anemic, press coverage outside of specialty outlets inconsistent, and so on. "Is an MLS collapse good for American soccer?" Emphatically not. And neither is a lockout. Perhaps the Players Union has been premature in making the stand they have now? Great round up of the issues and, to the extent that big name players have been the leading mouthpieces for the player’s positions, free agency does seem to be something of a solution. As someone who looks to Europe for my sense of how soccer is supposed to be run, it can be easy to forget the very real distinctions of soccer in America. And, it’s important to note that some in Europe have been looking at the MLS model as an answer to some of the problems they have there. I am always going to lean toward the players in most issues (average pay is an embarrassment) but I think Lalas is naive when he says something like “it’s time to take the training wheels off.” (Perhaps such a naive outlook explains the fact that he’s no longer involved in management in the MLS?) The league is still expanding, attendance levels are schizophrenic across the league, TV viewership is anemic, press coverage outside of specialty outlets inconsistent, and so on. “Is an MLS collapse good for American soccer?” Emphatically not. And neither is a lockout. Perhaps the Players Union has been premature in making the stand they have now?

]]> By: Andrew Huff http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2010/01/22/mls-free-agency-necessary-to-avoid-strike/comment-page-1/#comment-81 Andrew Huff Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:30:58 +0000 http://phillysoccerpage.com/?p=1500#comment-81 I think the reason that players think there should be so many player rights due to FIFA regulations is because they are actually basing their ideas on European Union law without realizing it. They think that FIFA is protecting their rights, whereas the European rules on free trade and labor protections most likely makes it so that a player can't be traded unless he agrees to be traded while under contract. FIFA rules have to be looser because they deal with leagues all over the World where local laws may be very minimal in scope. MLS would still do fine if they allowed free agency but maintained a salary cap. Of course I could see certain teams not attracting many decent players and having to pay more for mediocre players. It would be a shame, but it would also allow the market to determine which venues were best from the players point of view rather than just owners and MLS. I would like to see a profit sharing system for the players, so that they have a greater stake in the success of the league and so that they get compensation based on their contributions to growing the fan base of the league. I think the reason that players think there should be so many player rights due to FIFA regulations is because they are actually basing their ideas on European Union law without realizing it. They think that FIFA is protecting their rights, whereas the European rules on free trade and labor protections most likely makes it so that a player can’t be traded unless he agrees to be traded while under contract. FIFA rules have to be looser because they deal with leagues all over the World where local laws may be very minimal in scope.

MLS would still do fine if they allowed free agency but maintained a salary cap. Of course I could see certain teams not attracting many decent players and having to pay more for mediocre players. It would be a shame, but it would also allow the market to determine which venues were best from the players point of view rather than just owners and MLS.

I would like to see a profit sharing system for the players, so that they have a greater stake in the success of the league and so that they get compensation based on their contributions to growing the fan base of the league.

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