"Steve Ralston will not finish his career in MLS."
Yeah. It still sounds strange.
But I suppose if you're the league's all-time leader in games played, minutes, and assists, none of those benchmarks mean a thing. Even though you've warranted MVP consideration the past two seasons, your contract is up. And no, the league won't renew it for what you're asking.
Nevermind the fact that Rally, who will turn 36 this year, was the lone offensive catalyst on an anemic Revolution attack. Forget that the league's ironman has actually played some of the best soccer of his career over the last three seasons. And you can disregard that throughout his 14-year career, he exemplified what a professional should be: an unassuming team-first leader who'd rather dole out the applause than receive it.
And how did the league repay him for his services? They refused to re-sign him.
In what can only be described as a callous decision, MLS allowed its true poster boy - who, by the way, is not David Beckham - to finish his career in Division II, with A.C. St. Louis.
In some ways, I understand the general business aspect of it. Offering contract extensions to aging players isn't the ideal for any team in any league or sport. God knows there are enough athletes in their 30s or 40s that should've read the writing on the wall a long time ago.
However, Rally is not one of them. Not in MLS, and certainly not on a goal-starved club like the Revolution.
Consider that in 2008, at the age of 34, he topped the team in goals (8) despite missing nearly a third of the season due to injury. In 2009, he ranked second with seven, all while missing ten matches due to injuries.
Injuries are inevitable, especially for guys in their 30s. And there's no question Rally's been banged up a bit these past few seasons.
But the bottom line is this: he can still play. Play well, in fact. The stats don't lie. The praise showered upon him by his Revolution teammates isn't imagined. Steve Ralston was one of the best players in MLS last season, despite the injuries, despite his age, and despite the lack of experienced players surrounding him in New England.
And what did MLS do? They probably looked at those very things that should have kept him from having a great 2009 campaign. They looked at the recovery time for his healing ACL. And then they said, "No, Steve, we won't re-sign you for what you're asking."
Last year, Steve Ralston earned about $150,000. I suspect he wasn't asking for much more. He knew that he was approaching the final chapter of his career. He told me so on more than one occasion last year.
Whatever the exact figures or terms were, MLS ultimately said no. Knowing he deserved to be treated far better, Rally packed his bags and headed home - A.C. St. Louis.
Fortunately, Rally found a plethora of appreciation in NASL, even if it is Division 2. He was signed to a multi-year deal by a club who fully understood that Rally's playing days aren't over. They granted him an assistant coach’s position - one in which I believe Rally is perfectly suited for.
Maybe this is exactly what Rally wanted all along. He's far removed from the labor strife in MLS. The pressure for a speedy recovery has been lifted. He doesn't have to be Superman anymore.
Perhaps it's because of this that Rally has refrained from offering any negativity on the league's failure to re-sign him. Well, that and I can't quite imagine Rally badmouthing the league. He's always been classy.
It's just a damn shame the league couldn't have treated him in the same fashion.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
MLS and Spring Training
I wish for many things.
I wish poverty ceased to exist. I wish grad school wasn't so hard. I wish I won the lottery. I wish I had gotten hooked on "Lost" five years ago, and not five weeks ago.
I also wish that the same mystique and sunshine that surround baseball’s spring training every year would envelope the MLS preseason. You know: the pop of the ball pounding the rawhide under warm sunny skies. The crack of the lumber as another fastball ends up in the palm trees or cacti. The light banter. The passivity of it all.
And for soccer fans, what could be more welcoming after a cold (not to mention brutal, for many of us along the eastern seaboard) winter devoid of MLS? It’s one thing to log countless hours in front of the tube watching foreign football during the offseason. It’s another thing to have the ability to circle the calendar every winter knowing that the patter of the ball bouncing from boot to boot; the obligatory shouts in the midst of a vast open space; the pang of a cracking shot off the woodwork are all familiar harbingers that winter will soon melt away into spring.
And I totally know that we're talking two different animals here. The two could never be confused (unlike Shalrie Joseph and Asante Samuel - and I know I’m the only one). But both are sports that have long traditions here in the States, regardless of what the detractors/soccerphobes/haters say.
So, under these perpetually gray mid-winter skies, what tangible sign of hope is there for the MLS fan?
Some clubs, like the Fire, FCD, and the Red Bulls actually saunter down south to warmer locales a large portion of the preseason. But for many, the preseason is spent stuck indoors, in environments about as sterile as a pharmaceutical laboratory.
Therefore, a similar tradition must be initiated by MLS. While the climate-controlled environments NBA and NHL typically keep their doors closed (literally) for the preseason, MLS should adopt the MLB and NFL approach of promoting its preseason fare.
Therefore, I submit a modest proposal:
1. All MLS clubs and its respective youth academies must designate a preseason "home" in either Florida, Texas or Arizona.
No shifting locales like a money-hungry paparazzo. I mean, how can you establish a rhythm if a club is constantly shuttling north and south, east and west, stateside and abroad? It just seems silly to waste time packing and moving every few weeks. Therefore, each club shall designate a singular base of operations from the first day of the preseason up until one week prior to First Kick.
2. This home should remain consistent year to year.
Therefore, multi-year agreements - preferably five-year terms - with local colleges or academies must be made to ensure a familiar destination for the club and fans every year. This also creates familiarity with the locals. How many baseball fans root for the Red Sox in Ft. Myers because they train there every spring? Lots. And how many snowbird Sox fans fly to Ft. Myers every year? Thousands.
3. At least four clubs must occupy a geographical zone designated by MLS.
For example, four teams must occupy the Central/Southern Florida (UCF, USF, FSU) zone. Same goes for other regions like Central Texas, Arizona, and/or Northern Florida. Therefore, there's never an excuse for MLS clubs to simply mail in preseason matches against local colleges or "collegiate all-star squads." Which leads me to the next prong...
4. A preseason schedule that must consist of at least four preseason matches between MLS clubs.
I don't care if it's a series of friendlies or an inter-regional, double-elimination tournament. Every preseason match should provide an accurate gauge of each club's talent. This can only be done against MLS competition.
5. All training sessions and matches are free and open to the public.
Just like the family-friendly fare of the former Reserve League, each session and match should have space for fans, family, and Fido to sit back and watch their favorite club in action. As a bonus, players stick around for a post-match clinic and autograph session for the kiddos under the warm, southern sun. For MLS fans young and old, does it get any better?
Of course, these suggestions are entirely based on the model that baseball employs (after all, you're too smart to assume these were purely original ideas). But remember, traditions create nostalgia. Nostalgia breeds loyalty. And what, for many baseball fans, is more nostalgic than spring training?
Plus, what player wouldn't want to train outdoors, rather than an indoor turf bubble or center?
See? It's win/win for everyone.
Because after all, soccer fans deserve the same glimmers of hope afforded to baseball fans. It's been a long and drawn-out winter for us, too.
I wish poverty ceased to exist. I wish grad school wasn't so hard. I wish I won the lottery. I wish I had gotten hooked on "Lost" five years ago, and not five weeks ago.
I also wish that the same mystique and sunshine that surround baseball’s spring training every year would envelope the MLS preseason. You know: the pop of the ball pounding the rawhide under warm sunny skies. The crack of the lumber as another fastball ends up in the palm trees or cacti. The light banter. The passivity of it all.
And for soccer fans, what could be more welcoming after a cold (not to mention brutal, for many of us along the eastern seaboard) winter devoid of MLS? It’s one thing to log countless hours in front of the tube watching foreign football during the offseason. It’s another thing to have the ability to circle the calendar every winter knowing that the patter of the ball bouncing from boot to boot; the obligatory shouts in the midst of a vast open space; the pang of a cracking shot off the woodwork are all familiar harbingers that winter will soon melt away into spring.
And I totally know that we're talking two different animals here. The two could never be confused (unlike Shalrie Joseph and Asante Samuel - and I know I’m the only one). But both are sports that have long traditions here in the States, regardless of what the detractors/soccerphobes/haters say.
So, under these perpetually gray mid-winter skies, what tangible sign of hope is there for the MLS fan?
Some clubs, like the Fire, FCD, and the Red Bulls actually saunter down south to warmer locales a large portion of the preseason. But for many, the preseason is spent stuck indoors, in environments about as sterile as a pharmaceutical laboratory.
Therefore, a similar tradition must be initiated by MLS. While the climate-controlled environments NBA and NHL typically keep their doors closed (literally) for the preseason, MLS should adopt the MLB and NFL approach of promoting its preseason fare.
Therefore, I submit a modest proposal:
1. All MLS clubs and its respective youth academies must designate a preseason "home" in either Florida, Texas or Arizona.
No shifting locales like a money-hungry paparazzo. I mean, how can you establish a rhythm if a club is constantly shuttling north and south, east and west, stateside and abroad? It just seems silly to waste time packing and moving every few weeks. Therefore, each club shall designate a singular base of operations from the first day of the preseason up until one week prior to First Kick.
2. This home should remain consistent year to year.
Therefore, multi-year agreements - preferably five-year terms - with local colleges or academies must be made to ensure a familiar destination for the club and fans every year. This also creates familiarity with the locals. How many baseball fans root for the Red Sox in Ft. Myers because they train there every spring? Lots. And how many snowbird Sox fans fly to Ft. Myers every year? Thousands.
3. At least four clubs must occupy a geographical zone designated by MLS.
For example, four teams must occupy the Central/Southern Florida (UCF, USF, FSU) zone. Same goes for other regions like Central Texas, Arizona, and/or Northern Florida. Therefore, there's never an excuse for MLS clubs to simply mail in preseason matches against local colleges or "collegiate all-star squads." Which leads me to the next prong...
4. A preseason schedule that must consist of at least four preseason matches between MLS clubs.
I don't care if it's a series of friendlies or an inter-regional, double-elimination tournament. Every preseason match should provide an accurate gauge of each club's talent. This can only be done against MLS competition.
5. All training sessions and matches are free and open to the public.
Just like the family-friendly fare of the former Reserve League, each session and match should have space for fans, family, and Fido to sit back and watch their favorite club in action. As a bonus, players stick around for a post-match clinic and autograph session for the kiddos under the warm, southern sun. For MLS fans young and old, does it get any better?
Of course, these suggestions are entirely based on the model that baseball employs (after all, you're too smart to assume these were purely original ideas). But remember, traditions create nostalgia. Nostalgia breeds loyalty. And what, for many baseball fans, is more nostalgic than spring training?
Plus, what player wouldn't want to train outdoors, rather than an indoor turf bubble or center?
See? It's win/win for everyone.
Because after all, soccer fans deserve the same glimmers of hope afforded to baseball fans. It's been a long and drawn-out winter for us, too.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
TiK ToK
So, the word on the street is that the players are going on strike in the next few minutes.
If this is indeed the case, it is my belief that the players will regret this. They will not win. They must concede more than they are willing to, regardless of the fact that many fans happen to agree with them on nearly every point of contention. But MLS is not the NBA nor MLB. It is single-entity for a reason: to give the owners all of the power.
Memo to the players: you cannot force the league's hand. Compromise. Take my advice: Hire a mediator. You cannot win this war. In fact, you will lose badly and be utterly humiliated if you strike now.
Whatever the league is offering, take it. Going on strike will cause serious repercussions for not only the union, but also the sport as a whole here in the States. Not enough people care if this league thrives.
If you must strike, then do so with the mind that this is soccer in the United States, not football, baseball, or basketball in the United States. The American public has seen more leagues fail than prosper. And if you strike, be mindful of the fact that your efforts, however justified, will be long forgotten should MLS topple as a result.
Fin.
If this is indeed the case, it is my belief that the players will regret this. They will not win. They must concede more than they are willing to, regardless of the fact that many fans happen to agree with them on nearly every point of contention. But MLS is not the NBA nor MLB. It is single-entity for a reason: to give the owners all of the power.
Memo to the players: you cannot force the league's hand. Compromise. Take my advice: Hire a mediator. You cannot win this war. In fact, you will lose badly and be utterly humiliated if you strike now.
Whatever the league is offering, take it. Going on strike will cause serious repercussions for not only the union, but also the sport as a whole here in the States. Not enough people care if this league thrives.
If you must strike, then do so with the mind that this is soccer in the United States, not football, baseball, or basketball in the United States. The American public has seen more leagues fail than prosper. And if you strike, be mindful of the fact that your efforts, however justified, will be long forgotten should MLS topple as a result.
Fin.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Farsighted
You've probably heard that Sheanon Williams, the 19-year-old from Dorchester who starred as a right back on the US U-15 and U-20 squads, signed with MLS last week and was allocated to Real Salt Lake yesterday. And there's no doubt that you've already heard about another 19-year-old - Caio Correa (Nantucket High School) - setting it off down in Brazil. And it's certainly no secret that another Dorchester kid, Ryan Johnson, had a pretty good '09 season.
What do all three have in common? They all played high school soccer right in the shadow of Gillette Stadium. And all three waved the Bay State goodbye likely without a serious gander from the local XI. So what does that say about the Revolution scouting department?
Well, the first thing is this - the Revolution don't sign high schoolers. Plain and simple. Look at their draft record. Not a single underage soul to be found. Of course, selecting kiddoes before their senior proms is high-risk in every sport. There's no debating that. However, when some of the most promising high school talent reside in New England, the question that has to be asked: why don't the Revs sign these guys before they dart to college or overseas?
Steve Nicol & Co. doesn't make many huge gambles on draft day. Clint Dempsey is the only pick that comes to mind that could be considered somewhat risky. Excluding Deuce, the protocol appears to be "draft safe and you'll be OK." Hence, plenty of ACC talent and a handful of small-school diamonds in the rough. All in college.
It should be noted that the club has taken a few local guys in the draft. Michael Parkhurst and Mike Videira both played locally. Both went on to - you guessed it - ACC schools before their selections in the 2005 and 2008 drafts, respectively. But, when you talk about high school talent, there isn't a single example of Nicol or even Mike Burns actively scouting area high school matches.
Of course, I don't know this for sure. Who's to say they aren't scouring the fields in Mashpee, Dorchester, or Martha's Vineyard in search of the next Taylor Twellman? Maybe they do, and simply go the conservative route every time and check back in with their high school finds during their collegiate careers.
Now that the Revs have an in-house youth academy, maybe the front office believes that they already have the best of the best high schoolers. Who knows?
Listen, all I can go by are the facts. And the facts reveal that the Revolution have never drafted a player straight out of high school. With so much local talent available, it's a shame they haven't already.
What do all three have in common? They all played high school soccer right in the shadow of Gillette Stadium. And all three waved the Bay State goodbye likely without a serious gander from the local XI. So what does that say about the Revolution scouting department?
Well, the first thing is this - the Revolution don't sign high schoolers. Plain and simple. Look at their draft record. Not a single underage soul to be found. Of course, selecting kiddoes before their senior proms is high-risk in every sport. There's no debating that. However, when some of the most promising high school talent reside in New England, the question that has to be asked: why don't the Revs sign these guys before they dart to college or overseas?
Steve Nicol & Co. doesn't make many huge gambles on draft day. Clint Dempsey is the only pick that comes to mind that could be considered somewhat risky. Excluding Deuce, the protocol appears to be "draft safe and you'll be OK." Hence, plenty of ACC talent and a handful of small-school diamonds in the rough. All in college.
It should be noted that the club has taken a few local guys in the draft. Michael Parkhurst and Mike Videira both played locally. Both went on to - you guessed it - ACC schools before their selections in the 2005 and 2008 drafts, respectively. But, when you talk about high school talent, there isn't a single example of Nicol or even Mike Burns actively scouting area high school matches.
Of course, I don't know this for sure. Who's to say they aren't scouring the fields in Mashpee, Dorchester, or Martha's Vineyard in search of the next Taylor Twellman? Maybe they do, and simply go the conservative route every time and check back in with their high school finds during their collegiate careers.
Now that the Revs have an in-house youth academy, maybe the front office believes that they already have the best of the best high schoolers. Who knows?
Listen, all I can go by are the facts. And the facts reveal that the Revolution have never drafted a player straight out of high school. With so much local talent available, it's a shame they haven't already.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Need You Now: Why the union needs Becks
This probably doesn't come as much of a shock to you, but I was not the tallest kid growing up. In fact, I was probably the shortest among my friends. Heck, I even collected a few nicknames to prove it: Sweet Pea, Baby-B, Skee-lo.* Luckily, I was born with some athletic ability, so when it came down to picking kickball teams, I was never last, and through my on-field performances, I even gained a bit of schoolyard cred.
(*Was "I Wish" not like the short kid anthem back in the day? I remember the first time I heard it on the radio. It was during summer vacation back in '95. Anyway, I'm shooting hoops with my younger brother in the driveway. I'm about to age myself here, but I've got the boombox blasting KIX 106, the only hip-hop station in RI. And all of a sudden, the song comes on. It had a catchy beat. Good song. Then, mid-jump shot, the lyrics made sense. "I know EXACTLY what this dude is talking about!" All those hot chicks at school turning you down because you were short? I felt that!)
Despite my ability to boot a kickball clear across the street, the first tenant of the Bully Creed always remained: short kid always gets picked on. I like to think I held my own for the most part. But when that kid who's a good foot taller than you starts pushing you into the locker or elbows you in the hallway, no amount of athletic ability is going to help you. You're short. He's tall. And there's definitely not enough time to come back and blindside him with a folding chair.
Luckily, I was blessed to have an entourage of friends back then. In fact, I had a buddy named Anthony who not only had my back, but had some standing in school as the starting goalkeeper (my high school didn't have a football team). He was tall. He was tough. No one was more revered, nor feared (I suppose) more than him.
So when said vertically-gifted kid continued his ego-padding at my expense, Anthony approached him with an ultimatum: leave the kid alone and I'll leave you alone. The counterpositive applied as well. He never bothered me again.
In the same vein, the players union is getting pushed and elbowed by the owners. They're stuffing them into lockers, TPing their houses, and extorting their lunch money. And if you think it's the other way around, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.
Clearly, the owners are in the position of power. It's their single-entity league. Owners make the millions. Players earn minimum wage. The players certainly have no Anthony to defend them, right?
Wrong.
You know where Anthony is? You know who can single-handedly shift an immense amount of power back to the union?
He's in Milan. And his name David Beckham.
Yes, the league's most visible and highest-earning player is in a remarkable position to aid his colleagues. With a series of words or trite press release, Beckham can make a stand for the union. He can call out the league, and people will listen. He can outline the numerous disadvantages of playing in MLS, and the global media will regurgitate every syllable. He can single-handedly render the owners as greedy, money-hording, expansion-loving hedonists, and the vast majority of the public will buy that as gospel.
But he hasn't, and he likely won't. For all the attention he garners through tabloids and underwear ads, there's one thing we know: he hates controversy. He shies away from it like Lady Gaga shuns clothes (and good taste). He's far too polished at this point in his career to risk a few chips on the grill.*
I know that conflicts exist because of the AEG/19 Entertainment marriage. He won’t dare bite the hand that feeds him. I understand that. But, as an MLS player, his voice would be the loudest in this dispute. And yet, he’s refused to utter more than a word or sentence (publicly, at least) during the negotiations.
And that's quite sad. Even though it's no secret that Becks' primary ambitions lie internationally rather than Stateside, the effort required is minimal. The union doesn't need him to join the picket line. They don't even need him to return to the States. All they need is for him to voice their concerns.
The union wants guaranteed contracts. The union wants free agency. The union wants a decent 401K.
Now, try it like this:
David Beckham wants guaranteed contracts. David Beckham wants free agency. David Beckham wants a decent 401K.*
(* OK, that's pretty ridiculous.)
See how much powerful those statements become when a famous face says it?
But, as usual, Beckham will likely remain silent on the subject. He will continue to ply his trade in Milan, far enough away from the cries and plight of his fellow players.
All the while, the union continues to get abused. And they're left wondering, who's going to stick up for us?
I don't normally quote comic book characters, but I believe Peter Parker's Uncle Ben put it best: "With great power comes great responsibility."*
(*Technically, the quote is attributed to former Spider Man writer, Stan Lee, who also came up with one of my other favorite quotes:"Any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for.")
Beckham certainly has the former, but refuses to inherit the latter.
(*Was "I Wish" not like the short kid anthem back in the day? I remember the first time I heard it on the radio. It was during summer vacation back in '95. Anyway, I'm shooting hoops with my younger brother in the driveway. I'm about to age myself here, but I've got the boombox blasting KIX 106, the only hip-hop station in RI. And all of a sudden, the song comes on. It had a catchy beat. Good song. Then, mid-jump shot, the lyrics made sense. "I know EXACTLY what this dude is talking about!" All those hot chicks at school turning you down because you were short? I felt that!)
Despite my ability to boot a kickball clear across the street, the first tenant of the Bully Creed always remained: short kid always gets picked on. I like to think I held my own for the most part. But when that kid who's a good foot taller than you starts pushing you into the locker or elbows you in the hallway, no amount of athletic ability is going to help you. You're short. He's tall. And there's definitely not enough time to come back and blindside him with a folding chair.
Luckily, I was blessed to have an entourage of friends back then. In fact, I had a buddy named Anthony who not only had my back, but had some standing in school as the starting goalkeeper (my high school didn't have a football team). He was tall. He was tough. No one was more revered, nor feared (I suppose) more than him.
So when said vertically-gifted kid continued his ego-padding at my expense, Anthony approached him with an ultimatum: leave the kid alone and I'll leave you alone. The counterpositive applied as well. He never bothered me again.
In the same vein, the players union is getting pushed and elbowed by the owners. They're stuffing them into lockers, TPing their houses, and extorting their lunch money. And if you think it's the other way around, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.
Clearly, the owners are in the position of power. It's their single-entity league. Owners make the millions. Players earn minimum wage. The players certainly have no Anthony to defend them, right?
Wrong.
You know where Anthony is? You know who can single-handedly shift an immense amount of power back to the union?
He's in Milan. And his name David Beckham.
Yes, the league's most visible and highest-earning player is in a remarkable position to aid his colleagues. With a series of words or trite press release, Beckham can make a stand for the union. He can call out the league, and people will listen. He can outline the numerous disadvantages of playing in MLS, and the global media will regurgitate every syllable. He can single-handedly render the owners as greedy, money-hording, expansion-loving hedonists, and the vast majority of the public will buy that as gospel.
But he hasn't, and he likely won't. For all the attention he garners through tabloids and underwear ads, there's one thing we know: he hates controversy. He shies away from it like Lady Gaga shuns clothes (and good taste). He's far too polished at this point in his career to risk a few chips on the grill.*
I know that conflicts exist because of the AEG/19 Entertainment marriage. He won’t dare bite the hand that feeds him. I understand that. But, as an MLS player, his voice would be the loudest in this dispute. And yet, he’s refused to utter more than a word or sentence (publicly, at least) during the negotiations.
And that's quite sad. Even though it's no secret that Becks' primary ambitions lie internationally rather than Stateside, the effort required is minimal. The union doesn't need him to join the picket line. They don't even need him to return to the States. All they need is for him to voice their concerns.
The union wants guaranteed contracts. The union wants free agency. The union wants a decent 401K.
Now, try it like this:
David Beckham wants guaranteed contracts. David Beckham wants free agency. David Beckham wants a decent 401K.*
(* OK, that's pretty ridiculous.)
See how much powerful those statements become when a famous face says it?
But, as usual, Beckham will likely remain silent on the subject. He will continue to ply his trade in Milan, far enough away from the cries and plight of his fellow players.
All the while, the union continues to get abused. And they're left wondering, who's going to stick up for us?
I don't normally quote comic book characters, but I believe Peter Parker's Uncle Ben put it best: "With great power comes great responsibility."*
(*Technically, the quote is attributed to former Spider Man writer, Stan Lee, who also came up with one of my other favorite quotes:"Any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for.")
Beckham certainly has the former, but refuses to inherit the latter.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Note to MLS and the players union: hire a mediator
I haven't written much about the MLS CBA negotiations, but with Mark Abbott and Bob Foose both breaking the silence on labor negotiations, there's finally something to talk about. Unfortunately, it's not what we wanted to hear.
In fact, given the rancor delivered by the players union, you have to think that the a new CBA is not the sure-fire sitter many of us were led to believe only weeks ago. And this can only mean one thing: things are getting bad. Positions are shifting. Texts aren't followed by LOLs any more.
I can only speculate how it turned sour so suddenly. I (nor any other media) aren't privy to the discussions, and with limited briefings made by Abbott, Foose, and a few player reps (Jimmy Conrad and Pat Onstad), all we have is what each side is telling us. Which is fine. There's only one problem: we're hearing very different things.
So what can be done to bridge the sides? The answer, to me at least, is simple: hire a mediator.
Now, I'm not saying they haven't already tried this. Given the limited comment provided (up until recently, of course) by either party, there hasn't been any evidence to suggest that one has been employed. Then again, I could be very wrong to presume that CBAs aren't negotiated without one. I don't know.
But I do know that back in 1994, when MLB owners and MLBPA went on strike, federal mediators HAD to be brought in to bring the sides together (which leads me to believe mediation wasn't seriously considered prior to). Although they failed to do so - nothing gives you the warm and fuzzies quite like federally-appointed assistance - the situation illuminated the point that a neutral party was necessary. Each party's lawyers can only do so much negotiating.
However, a fair-minded, non-affiliated individual will listen to each side's position. He/she will act as a sounding board, ask what each side is willing to concede, and based on his/her extensive knowledge pertaining to labor negotiations, illustrate what each side can realistically expect to get. An appointment of such a mediator is almost always sign of good faith. It tells the other side, "listen, we have our differences. But these differences can be resolved. Why don't we see if we can have someone help us out?"
There's little question in my mind that if indeed the owners and the union were close last month, and if they are equally sincere about resolving this thing, that a mutually-agreeable mediator would get this dispute resolved in a day. Yes. A single day.
MLS? Players union? What are you waiting for?
In fact, given the rancor delivered by the players union, you have to think that the a new CBA is not the sure-fire sitter many of us were led to believe only weeks ago. And this can only mean one thing: things are getting bad. Positions are shifting. Texts aren't followed by LOLs any more.
I can only speculate how it turned sour so suddenly. I (nor any other media) aren't privy to the discussions, and with limited briefings made by Abbott, Foose, and a few player reps (Jimmy Conrad and Pat Onstad), all we have is what each side is telling us. Which is fine. There's only one problem: we're hearing very different things.
So what can be done to bridge the sides? The answer, to me at least, is simple: hire a mediator.
Now, I'm not saying they haven't already tried this. Given the limited comment provided (up until recently, of course) by either party, there hasn't been any evidence to suggest that one has been employed. Then again, I could be very wrong to presume that CBAs aren't negotiated without one. I don't know.
But I do know that back in 1994, when MLB owners and MLBPA went on strike, federal mediators HAD to be brought in to bring the sides together (which leads me to believe mediation wasn't seriously considered prior to). Although they failed to do so - nothing gives you the warm and fuzzies quite like federally-appointed assistance - the situation illuminated the point that a neutral party was necessary. Each party's lawyers can only do so much negotiating.
However, a fair-minded, non-affiliated individual will listen to each side's position. He/she will act as a sounding board, ask what each side is willing to concede, and based on his/her extensive knowledge pertaining to labor negotiations, illustrate what each side can realistically expect to get. An appointment of such a mediator is almost always sign of good faith. It tells the other side, "listen, we have our differences. But these differences can be resolved. Why don't we see if we can have someone help us out?"
There's little question in my mind that if indeed the owners and the union were close last month, and if they are equally sincere about resolving this thing, that a mutually-agreeable mediator would get this dispute resolved in a day. Yes. A single day.
MLS? Players union? What are you waiting for?
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