The New York Rangers have become victims of their own prosperity. I sometimes wonder if it would be better if the Rangers had the budget and assets of a small market club, as then they couldn’t afford to meet the astronomical salary demands of would-be saviors.
With a salary cap of $56.8M, the Rangers have only $312K remaining. This has become common knowledge and has been written about extensively. The current payroll situation of the Rangers will determine their trade deadline strategy. And that strategy is perhaps to make no trades at all.
The temptation would be to try to acquire Ilya Kovalchuk from Atlanta at the trade dealine this March. Kovalchuk is a big, strong, fast, and tough player that scores loads of goals. Atlanta seem to have no chance of re-signing him, and will try to get as much as possible for the franchise cornerstone they are about to lose. The Rangers should definitely RESIST this temptation. The price for Kovalchuk is simply too high. Atlanta has already asked the LA Kings for Jack Johnson, and a laundry list of young prospects. The Rangers cannot afford to trade away their developing young talent at this stage. Even if the Rangers could get Kovalchuk without completely mortgaging the future, they would be in the same predicament with the salary cap that is inhibiting their trade options. Also, Kovalchuk's contract would still expire at the end of the season.
If Kovalchuk isn’t traded either by the trade deadline or at this Summer’s draft, he will become an unrestricted free agent. The Rangers don’t have blockbuster free agent cash or cap room at this stage, so it’s my belief that the Kovalchuk to the Rangers scenario is a dead issue with the Rangers’ current payroll configuration.
No GM in the NHL with any sense left is going to go anywhere near the bloat-tastic salaries of the New York Rangers' Chris Drury, Michael Roszival, or Wade Redden. No one in the NHL is taking on players of that salary, even players who are relatively young AND producing.
Any player young enough and skilled enough to be an interesting trade option for the New York Rangers is likely to demand too much salary, and that player’s club will demand far too many of the Rangers young prospects and/or draft picks in return.
The situation between the Rangers' cap bloat and a string of poor results is quickly approaching a flashpoint. Approaching a flashpoint much as it did a year ago when then head coach Tom Renney was fired. Clearly there will be changes in personnel. The question is: Will it be players moving on, or management or both? At this point it looks like both the jobs of coach John Tortorella and general manager Glen Sather are in serious jeopardy. Something must break.
The answer to the Rangers problems may lie within the organization...
Drury produces respectable numbers for a player making half his salary. Therefore, something must be done about it. Drury has a no movement and a no trade clause in his contract. Therefore he can’t be sent to the minors to clear cap room, and he can’t be traded without his consent. Even if Drury gave his consent, it is debatable that any teams would have him at a $7.05M cap hit. There is an additional wrinkle in that Drury is the captain of the team. Therefore the club has no room to maneuver without Drury’s consent. It would seem that the Rangers and Drury are stuck with each other until 2012.
Hope is not lost though. The Rangers have a number of prospects waiting in the wings at their Hartford AHL affiliate. Though it might be debatable whether or not these young players are ready for the NHL, it would appear the Rangers have cornered themselves into accelerating their development.
If the Rangers send Wade Redden, and Michael Roszival to the Hartford Wolf Pack, that would free up $11.5M in the salary cap. They would have to clear waivers, but I doubt that any other NHL club could afford to take on their salaries. The alternative would be to continue on as it stands, rewarding players who produce subpar results with first team places until 2012 for Roszival, and/or 2014 for Redden. The status quo isn’t working, and the Rangers’ management is in a position where it must either send a clear message that failure to produce results will result in serious consequences, or the club will surely be forced into firing, or calling for the resignations of Tortorella and Sather.
Defensemen Bobby Sanguinetti and Ilkka Heikkinen have spent some time this year with the Rangers and acquitted themselves reasonably well. Although they would lack the experience and seasoning of Roszival and Redden, the Rangers might gain an edge in speed, grit, and enthusiasm by promoting Sanguinetti, and Heikkinen.
The newfound cap space could be used to sign or trade for four or five players of essentially the same quality that Roszival and Redden are currently displaying. Perhaps the open cap space could be used to promote Corey Locke who is leading the Hartford Wolf Pack with 19 goals and 53 total points. Locke cannot be promoted until cap space is cleared or until another player is demoted to Hartford to open enough cap room. Hartford’s Dale Weise and P.A. Parenteau have also shown an ability to score goals.
Another problem has been the Rangers lack of toughness. The Rangers lack an enforcer that strikes fear into the hearts of the NHL’s evil-doers. The attempts of Donald Brashear, and Aaron Voros to fill this void have been less than convincing. Both players should be sent down to Hartford, or traded. Perhaps Dane Byers from Hartford, who has also spent time this year in a Rangers sweater could become a tough guy that might actually score a goal or two. Weise and Devin DiDiomete might also lend some toughness, and Weise can actually score goals as he has 15 already for Hartford this season.
Winger Ales Kotalik has at times produced, but more often that he scores goals, he creates goals for the opposition with his propensity to turn the puck over at the worst possible times, and in the worst possible areas of the ice. He makes $3M/year. If they must trade someone, perhaps a solution is Kotalik to a team for a draft pick. At this point, even a third round choice would be meaningful in return for Kotalik.
There is another far less attractive option to opening cap space. The Rangers can admit their mistake of overpaying Drury, Roszival, and Redden and buyout the remainder of their contracts for the purposes of releasing them. This may not even be possible depending on how leveraged the Rangers already are against the sale value of the club.
If Drury, Roszival, and Redden wanted to truly demonstrate their commitment to win to their teammates they can request that their contracts be restructured to open cap space. I wouldn’t hold my breath for that though, as why should they give up anything they have earned so far? Just to help an organization that can’t mind it’s own finances? Not likely.
It must be pointed out that the aforementioned players are good players. The fact of the business of professional hockey is that in the absence of positive results, changes must be made. The worse the Rangers results, the closer the club is to making changes with player personnel and/or with management personnel. Finger-pointing must end. Results must be achieved. It is my belief that the Rangers would be best served by completing the rebuild that was started when Enver Lisin, Artem Anisimov, Matt Gilroy, and Michael Del Zotto made the first team last Fall. Potential talent must be tested to see if it is actual talent. Grumpy and disruptive elements must be moved on or sent down.
Currently the Rangers are teetering at the edge of qualification for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Should Atlanta win their match today against Philadelphia, the Rangers will fall into 9th place, just outside the qualification zone. Although the Rangers have 28 games left to play, their current form of three wins in their last ten games doesn’t inspire confidence.
Should the Rangers fail to make the playoffs, or make the playoffs and crash out in the first or second round, Rangers supporters and fans would hope a severe reckoning awaits both players and management at the end of play this year.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Gaming: FIFA 10 As Grudge Therapy
Over the years it’s been difficult following American players trying to make their mark at different clubs in Britain and on the European continent. Often, it’s discouraging as they are often pushed into the reserve teams and collect dust until forgotten. There is a helplessness and anger that comes with this. And I have come to identify certain clubs in a certain way when I play FIFA 10, that motivates me to beat them as badly as possible. This is the way I identify certain teams when I play video football:
Tottenham: The club that kept Kasey Keller on the bench for so long, even though he was clearly superior to Neil Sullivan, the player he was backing up at the time.
Liverpool: The club that never properly appreciated either Brad Freidel or Zak Whitbread.
Manchester United: The club that buries American players in the reserves until they are coated with a thick layer of dust and then gets rid of them. Jovan Kirovski, Jonathan Spector, Kenny Cooper Jr., Paul Rachubka, John Thorrington (youth academy) to name at least three who deserved more of an opportunity with them. Tim Howard is a partial exception to this list, and started in goal for United for a fairly long stretch. Before his contract expired he was persuaded to re-sign with the club, presumably to continue starting in goal. Soon after Tim signed on, United acquired Dutch first choice ‘keeper Edwin van der Saar, and Howard was relegated to the bench for the rest of his time at Old Trafford. Nice way to treat someone who came up trumps for you Sir Alex. With Howard now safely ensconced at Goodison Park, I relish every Everton victory over United. I relish any club’s defeat of United. In video footy, I kick the spaghetti out of United whenever possible.
Arsenal: The club that sent Frankie Simek down.
Derby County: Drummed out John Harkes after then manager Arthur Cox moved on, and eventually Benny Feilhaber.
Reading: Drummed out both Bobby Convey and Marcus Hahnemann even though both were fine servants of the club. Now I have this Reading beach hat, and no Americans there to cheer on. You owe me £10 Reading Football Club.
Leverkusen: Donovan was never given a fair chance to impress there. Leverkusen contributed to tarnishing Donovan’s reputation as a footballer giving rise to the common perception that he isn’t fit to play football at the top level in Europe. This perception is currently being debunked by Landon’s solid performances with Everton.
Bayern Munich: Although then manager Klinsmann wanted Donovan, the top brass at the club wouldn’t have any of it. Klinsmann was later unceremoniously given the sack.
Borussia Dortmund: Another club that had Jovan Kirovski riding the pine pony.
Hamburg: Never gave Preston Zimmerman a proper run-out.
Racing Santander: Was quick enough to move on Danny Szetela, never allowing him one chance in the side.
Villareal: Purchased Jozmer Altidore for $10M and let pretty much let him ride the bench (only 6 appearances). Then loaned him out to Xeres who never played him. Currently loaning out Altidore to Hull, where he has made 15 appearances.
Xeres: See Villareal.
AC Milan: Not only is this club a tool for Italy PM Silvio Berlusconi’s political propaganda (He also is a media magnate and owns the club), but Milan have mired American defensive standout Oguchi “Gooch” Onyewu on the bench. When Onyewu was injured playing for the USA, Milan demanded financial reparations. Nice touch. Onyewu has not yet appeared for Milan, and I’m not holding my breath.
Sampdoria: Gabe Ferrari has been there since 2007 and hasn’t seen one first team appearance. He is currently on loan at Foggia.
Belenenses: Limited Freddy Adu to 4 appearances while on loan from Benfica.
Lorient: Drummed out former Cal D-Mid standout Andrew Jacobsen
Lens: Signed Joe Cannon and then never played him.
Red Bull Salzburg: Really I hate Red Bull for ruining MetroStars with a name beginning with a soft drink. But any team starting with that name I want to beat in video footy. I do not recognize a soft drink company's employees as New York's lone football entry in MLS. I'll never forget the little Quicktime movie they made of Alexi Lalas telling us how good this move was going to be for the club and for its fans, and then drinking a Red Bull and facing the product at the end of it. Disgusting.
MLS football in New York died on March 9 2006. Rest in peace Metro. Up the FC New York in 2011.
Some may think it petty, but for me it is a way to virtually blow off steam regarding football situations that are beyond my control. It also adds spice to certain games of FIFA 10. Not that I’m one to hold a grudge. [grins]
Tottenham: The club that kept Kasey Keller on the bench for so long, even though he was clearly superior to Neil Sullivan, the player he was backing up at the time.
Liverpool: The club that never properly appreciated either Brad Freidel or Zak Whitbread.
Manchester United: The club that buries American players in the reserves until they are coated with a thick layer of dust and then gets rid of them. Jovan Kirovski, Jonathan Spector, Kenny Cooper Jr., Paul Rachubka, John Thorrington (youth academy) to name at least three who deserved more of an opportunity with them. Tim Howard is a partial exception to this list, and started in goal for United for a fairly long stretch. Before his contract expired he was persuaded to re-sign with the club, presumably to continue starting in goal. Soon after Tim signed on, United acquired Dutch first choice ‘keeper Edwin van der Saar, and Howard was relegated to the bench for the rest of his time at Old Trafford. Nice way to treat someone who came up trumps for you Sir Alex. With Howard now safely ensconced at Goodison Park, I relish every Everton victory over United. I relish any club’s defeat of United. In video footy, I kick the spaghetti out of United whenever possible.
Arsenal: The club that sent Frankie Simek down.
Derby County: Drummed out John Harkes after then manager Arthur Cox moved on, and eventually Benny Feilhaber.
Reading: Drummed out both Bobby Convey and Marcus Hahnemann even though both were fine servants of the club. Now I have this Reading beach hat, and no Americans there to cheer on. You owe me £10 Reading Football Club.
Leverkusen: Donovan was never given a fair chance to impress there. Leverkusen contributed to tarnishing Donovan’s reputation as a footballer giving rise to the common perception that he isn’t fit to play football at the top level in Europe. This perception is currently being debunked by Landon’s solid performances with Everton.
Bayern Munich: Although then manager Klinsmann wanted Donovan, the top brass at the club wouldn’t have any of it. Klinsmann was later unceremoniously given the sack.
Borussia Dortmund: Another club that had Jovan Kirovski riding the pine pony.
Hamburg: Never gave Preston Zimmerman a proper run-out.
Racing Santander: Was quick enough to move on Danny Szetela, never allowing him one chance in the side.
Villareal: Purchased Jozmer Altidore for $10M and let pretty much let him ride the bench (only 6 appearances). Then loaned him out to Xeres who never played him. Currently loaning out Altidore to Hull, where he has made 15 appearances.
Xeres: See Villareal.
AC Milan: Not only is this club a tool for Italy PM Silvio Berlusconi’s political propaganda (He also is a media magnate and owns the club), but Milan have mired American defensive standout Oguchi “Gooch” Onyewu on the bench. When Onyewu was injured playing for the USA, Milan demanded financial reparations. Nice touch. Onyewu has not yet appeared for Milan, and I’m not holding my breath.
Sampdoria: Gabe Ferrari has been there since 2007 and hasn’t seen one first team appearance. He is currently on loan at Foggia.
Belenenses: Limited Freddy Adu to 4 appearances while on loan from Benfica.
Lorient: Drummed out former Cal D-Mid standout Andrew Jacobsen
Lens: Signed Joe Cannon and then never played him.
Red Bull Salzburg: Really I hate Red Bull for ruining MetroStars with a name beginning with a soft drink. But any team starting with that name I want to beat in video footy. I do not recognize a soft drink company's employees as New York's lone football entry in MLS. I'll never forget the little Quicktime movie they made of Alexi Lalas telling us how good this move was going to be for the club and for its fans, and then drinking a Red Bull and facing the product at the end of it. Disgusting.
MLS football in New York died on March 9 2006. Rest in peace Metro. Up the FC New York in 2011.
Some may think it petty, but for me it is a way to virtually blow off steam regarding football situations that are beyond my control. It also adds spice to certain games of FIFA 10. Not that I’m one to hold a grudge. [grins]
Monday, January 25, 2010
New York Rangers: Will The Real New York Rangers Please Stand Up?
New York Rangers Current Form/Last 10 Matches: 3 victories, 5 losses, 2 shootout losses
Rangers 2:4 Pittsburgh
Montreal 6:0 Rangers
Philadelphia 2:0 Rangers
Rangers 8:2 Tampa Bay
Rangers 6:2 Montreal
St. Louis 4:1 Rangers
Ottawa 2:0 Rangers
New Jersey 0:0 Rangers
(New Jersey wins shootout)
Rangers 3:1 Boston
Atlanta 1:1 Rangers
(Atlanta wins shootout)
Rangers Goals For: 17
Rangers Goals Against: 24
Points from last 10 Matches: 8 of 20 possible points
Times shut out: 4
The New York Rangers hockey club currently has the extreme dynamics of a rollercoaster. Winning 8:2 one night and losing 6:0 four nights later. 8 out of 20 possible points in the last 10 matches is an adequate achievement. However, it’s also nothing that will cause the Rangers’ divisional and conference rivals to lose any sleep over. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde...which Ranger side will face Stanley Cup holders Pittsburgh today?
The knowledgeable fan base of the club understands that the club’s senior veteran players, some of whom are signed to very big contracts, are underperforming. Consistency eludes the Rangers, and even Coach John Tortorella is at a loss to explain why.
It’s easy to understand why Torts can't explain the string of poor results, as the all the pieces for the Rangers’ success appear to be in place.
The Rangers possess a stalwart defense led by standout goaltender Henrik Lundqvist who is first choice for Sweden in addition to his duties with the Rangers. The Rangers also have a laundry list of young goaltenders working towards becoming his backup.
Young veteran defensemen Dan Girardi and Mark Staal are becoming leaders by example. Though playing steady, if unspectacular hockey neither Michael Roszival nor Wade Redden are producing numbers that justify their respective yearly salaries of $5M and $6.5M. The two rookie defensemen, Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy have shown flashes of brilliance, and seem to gain more consistency and confidence with each passing game. The swift development of Staal and Girardi is enough to make you wonder how much time will pass before the Rangers management team will find it preferable to offload (or buy out) the contracts of aging veterans Roszival and Redden (Both defensemen have a list of eight clubs that they will not accept being moved to) so that they may promote from the legion of young defense prospects in Hartford, such as Bobby Sanguinetti, Ilkka Heikkinen, Michael Sauer, Nigel Williams, and Corey Potter. Perhaps for the Rangers the future is now.
The questions and variables come from the seeming inability of most of the Ranger forwards to score goals consistently. Marian Gaborik is certainly having the sort of year that justifies his $7.5M salary, as he is amongst the league leaders is goals and points. Prospal, Dubinsky, and Callahan are also playing well. Of those three, only Callahan makes more than $2M. The club also seems to be getting value for money for: (the infamous) Sean Avery, young Russian forwards Artem Anisimov and Enver Lisin are quietly contributing in bits and pieces with their plus/minus scores of -2 and -1 seeming to indicate that they are pulling their weight on defense as well. Brian Boyle has also been a pleasant surprise. At $525K/year, Boyle finishes his checks and from time to time adds offense. The struggling, if hard-working, Chris Higgins can’t be faulted for his work rate or attitude. Having said this, he needs to produce more than 6 goals and 13 points in 51 matches at $2.25M/year to remain on the team. Ales Kotalik had a strong start to the season, but makes $3M/year and has only 8 goals and 22 points in 44 matches. Kotalik is also over 30 years-old and is -16...overpaid, not the fastest skater, doesn’t always finish his checks, fails to consistently score, and seems to be a defensive liability. Even Kotalik’s vaunted hard shot isn’t worth much if the puck doesn’t go in the net.
It doesn’t seem that Aaron Voros or Donald Brashear has been the policeman that the Rangers have been looking for to deal with the NHL’s evil-doers. It bears mentioning that Voros is showing an improved vein of form after a long layover of being scratched on a nightly basis. Voros is hitting, stirring things up, and occasionally contributing in the scoring department. Voros isn’t the end solution, but he’s doing well enough for now in the role of tough guy. Brashear at $1.4M/year and Voros at $1M/year are being payed too much money for what they have managed to contribute this year. The Rangers need an economy tough guy that doesn’t take up as much space in the salary cap. It might not be a bad idea to consider promoting some young player from the minors. Perhaps Hartford Wolf Pack forwards Dane Byers, Devin DiDiomete or Justin Soryal could carry that load...certainly more value for money at $500K or $508K/year.
The Rangers’ struggling skipper Chris Drury, at a salary of $7.05M, has only 8 goals and 19 points in 47 matches. Given the intangibles of grit (wins face-offs, blocks shots) and leadership, that Drury brings to the Rangers, both on the ice and (you would assume) in the dressing room, it’s difficult to assess what should be done about this situation. Even with all that Drury brings to the table for the Rangers, is he worth that big money even without the consistent and prolific scoring you would expect of a player at that salary point? What would be (even if it were possible at his inflated salary and “No Movement” clause) the impact of moving Drury on? At his current salary, he would be a very tough trade for another team to swallow. If the Rangers are winning tons of games, Drury’s salary becomes a non-issue. But this is not the case.
The Rangers are riding the rollercoaster of .500 hockey and their salary cap is stretched a bit beyond the breaking point. Meanwhile promising and talented young hopefuls toil in the NCAA, European leagues, junior hockey, and in the AHL. All of which makes you begin to wonder how long the Rangers can afford to juggle such huge contracts without corresponding return in production, and even more importantly how they can justify continuing to juggle them with so much young, affordable talent to choose from.
So the questions for the Rangers seem to be consistency, scoring, and toughness. The Rangers have to make up their mind as an organization whether or not it’s worth it to continue to have marquee names at the club at an inflated salary. The Rangers have to make up their minds whether or not they are going to commit to a full rebuild of the team. Del Zotto, Girardi, Anisimov, and Lisin being incorporated into the team is a good beginning. If the Rangers are going to compete for championships, it’s going to take more than what they bring to the table now. Much more.
Rangers 2:4 Pittsburgh
Montreal 6:0 Rangers
Philadelphia 2:0 Rangers
Rangers 8:2 Tampa Bay
Rangers 6:2 Montreal
St. Louis 4:1 Rangers
Ottawa 2:0 Rangers
New Jersey 0:0 Rangers
(New Jersey wins shootout)
Rangers 3:1 Boston
Atlanta 1:1 Rangers
(Atlanta wins shootout)
Rangers Goals For: 17
Rangers Goals Against: 24
Points from last 10 Matches: 8 of 20 possible points
Times shut out: 4
The New York Rangers hockey club currently has the extreme dynamics of a rollercoaster. Winning 8:2 one night and losing 6:0 four nights later. 8 out of 20 possible points in the last 10 matches is an adequate achievement. However, it’s also nothing that will cause the Rangers’ divisional and conference rivals to lose any sleep over. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde...which Ranger side will face Stanley Cup holders Pittsburgh today?
The knowledgeable fan base of the club understands that the club’s senior veteran players, some of whom are signed to very big contracts, are underperforming. Consistency eludes the Rangers, and even Coach John Tortorella is at a loss to explain why.
It’s easy to understand why Torts can't explain the string of poor results, as the all the pieces for the Rangers’ success appear to be in place.
The Rangers possess a stalwart defense led by standout goaltender Henrik Lundqvist who is first choice for Sweden in addition to his duties with the Rangers. The Rangers also have a laundry list of young goaltenders working towards becoming his backup.
Young veteran defensemen Dan Girardi and Mark Staal are becoming leaders by example. Though playing steady, if unspectacular hockey neither Michael Roszival nor Wade Redden are producing numbers that justify their respective yearly salaries of $5M and $6.5M. The two rookie defensemen, Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy have shown flashes of brilliance, and seem to gain more consistency and confidence with each passing game. The swift development of Staal and Girardi is enough to make you wonder how much time will pass before the Rangers management team will find it preferable to offload (or buy out) the contracts of aging veterans Roszival and Redden (Both defensemen have a list of eight clubs that they will not accept being moved to) so that they may promote from the legion of young defense prospects in Hartford, such as Bobby Sanguinetti, Ilkka Heikkinen, Michael Sauer, Nigel Williams, and Corey Potter. Perhaps for the Rangers the future is now.
The questions and variables come from the seeming inability of most of the Ranger forwards to score goals consistently. Marian Gaborik is certainly having the sort of year that justifies his $7.5M salary, as he is amongst the league leaders is goals and points. Prospal, Dubinsky, and Callahan are also playing well. Of those three, only Callahan makes more than $2M. The club also seems to be getting value for money for: (the infamous) Sean Avery, young Russian forwards Artem Anisimov and Enver Lisin are quietly contributing in bits and pieces with their plus/minus scores of -2 and -1 seeming to indicate that they are pulling their weight on defense as well. Brian Boyle has also been a pleasant surprise. At $525K/year, Boyle finishes his checks and from time to time adds offense. The struggling, if hard-working, Chris Higgins can’t be faulted for his work rate or attitude. Having said this, he needs to produce more than 6 goals and 13 points in 51 matches at $2.25M/year to remain on the team. Ales Kotalik had a strong start to the season, but makes $3M/year and has only 8 goals and 22 points in 44 matches. Kotalik is also over 30 years-old and is -16...overpaid, not the fastest skater, doesn’t always finish his checks, fails to consistently score, and seems to be a defensive liability. Even Kotalik’s vaunted hard shot isn’t worth much if the puck doesn’t go in the net.
It doesn’t seem that Aaron Voros or Donald Brashear has been the policeman that the Rangers have been looking for to deal with the NHL’s evil-doers. It bears mentioning that Voros is showing an improved vein of form after a long layover of being scratched on a nightly basis. Voros is hitting, stirring things up, and occasionally contributing in the scoring department. Voros isn’t the end solution, but he’s doing well enough for now in the role of tough guy. Brashear at $1.4M/year and Voros at $1M/year are being payed too much money for what they have managed to contribute this year. The Rangers need an economy tough guy that doesn’t take up as much space in the salary cap. It might not be a bad idea to consider promoting some young player from the minors. Perhaps Hartford Wolf Pack forwards Dane Byers, Devin DiDiomete or Justin Soryal could carry that load...certainly more value for money at $500K or $508K/year.
The Rangers’ struggling skipper Chris Drury, at a salary of $7.05M, has only 8 goals and 19 points in 47 matches. Given the intangibles of grit (wins face-offs, blocks shots) and leadership, that Drury brings to the Rangers, both on the ice and (you would assume) in the dressing room, it’s difficult to assess what should be done about this situation. Even with all that Drury brings to the table for the Rangers, is he worth that big money even without the consistent and prolific scoring you would expect of a player at that salary point? What would be (even if it were possible at his inflated salary and “No Movement” clause) the impact of moving Drury on? At his current salary, he would be a very tough trade for another team to swallow. If the Rangers are winning tons of games, Drury’s salary becomes a non-issue. But this is not the case.
The Rangers are riding the rollercoaster of .500 hockey and their salary cap is stretched a bit beyond the breaking point. Meanwhile promising and talented young hopefuls toil in the NCAA, European leagues, junior hockey, and in the AHL. All of which makes you begin to wonder how long the Rangers can afford to juggle such huge contracts without corresponding return in production, and even more importantly how they can justify continuing to juggle them with so much young, affordable talent to choose from.
So the questions for the Rangers seem to be consistency, scoring, and toughness. The Rangers have to make up their mind as an organization whether or not it’s worth it to continue to have marquee names at the club at an inflated salary. The Rangers have to make up their minds whether or not they are going to commit to a full rebuild of the team. Del Zotto, Girardi, Anisimov, and Lisin being incorporated into the team is a good beginning. If the Rangers are going to compete for championships, it’s going to take more than what they bring to the table now. Much more.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
MLS Labor Dispute: If a CBA is Being Disputed in the Woods, Does it Make Any Sound?
PROLOGUE:
“We are working hard, collectively, both the MLSPU and the league, to try to reach an agreement that’s going to be good for both players and management. We are working very hard to do that. We are meeting regularly…we met several times last week and we’re meeting again next week. But we are going to get to a point where both players and management are going to have to make some tough decisions. We’ve been doing very well over the last ten years making this league very stable. We need to ensure we have the right kind of deal to continue to develop the game the way we have and clearly the players are going to have to try to decide what kind of deal they will accept to get the type of things they are looking for. At the end of the day, this is still a very young sport. For 50 years, soccer has failed in this country. And here we are, about to have 18 teams, nearly 10 soccer stadiums, all because we’ve had a system that albeit different, is one that allows us to have this ability to continue to operate and grow for another day.”
- Don Garber, MLS Commisioner (January 16th - Minnesota Soccer Insider)
“Wednesday, Major League Soccer and the players’ union meet again for another round of negotiations in their efforts to hammer out a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. But MLS clubs aren’t worried about a potential lockout on Feb. 1 — at least that’s what they’re showing publicly. Toronto FC hasn’t issued any warnings to its season-seat holders; Chivas USA reports that its “business as usual” as it heads toward the opening of camp; Philadelphia Union Ceo Nick Sakiewicz said last week that any CBA issues had no impact on its draft strategy, and it continues to ford ahead towards its debut season.
Maybe the reason all is so calm with so little time left is because the MLS Players’ Union has had nothing to say. Before the holidays, executive director Bob Foose would return a call or an e-mail with “no comment.” Now, he doesn’t return messages at all. The MLSPU doesn’t talk to the media about the issues at hand. So everyone is in the dark — and that’s simply brutal. We know free agency, the league’s central control of contracts and guaranteed contracts are the issues. But none of that has come through anyone in the MLSPU office. Yes, established players Landon Donovan and Kasey Keller, both veterans who have earned well during their international careers, have blasted MLS and warned of a lockout — all through FIFpro. Not through their own union, but through a larger global organization. It comes off like a couple of rogue players talking tough while clutching mommy’s skirt. Really. And it’s come to this because their own union has had so little to say. Actually, nothing to say. Donovan is on loan with Everton right now, playing out the spring in the bright lights of the Premiership. And Keller is near the end of a career that’s taken him to England and Germany. Do they speak for the rank-and-file player earning US$80K? No. But it’s time for the union to break its silence. It doesn’t have speak with bombast. but by keeping everyone in the dark, the MLSPU looks like nothing more than a paper tiger. And maybe that’s why no team’s front office seems to be worried.”
- Steven Sandor, QMI Agency, published on January 20th at www.torontosun.com
FORWARD:
Ok, so we (human beings) need rhetoric to help us form arguments to get through the debates that exist in our professions and lives today. But ask yourself this: Do you believe a word that Don Garber is saying? I mean he got the 18 team thing right, but I’m pretty certain that only five MLS clubs own their own stadium. Outside of blogs, I haven’t really seen much in the way of official statements from either MLS or the Player’s Union. Closed-door negotiations feel to the supporters and fans like Dad telling you to trundle off to bed so that he and your mother can discuss an important matter in the drawing room. Thanks for that MLS and Player’s Union.
I think one of the scenarios below is likely to come of the current CBA argument:
1 - LOCKOUT - The MLS owners anticipate a player’s strike and lockout all players.
Predicted result: League fails. Whether replacement players (Remember MLS when it started in 96...oh yeah...it could get that bad) are used, or there is simply no season. I don’t believe MLS can survive a lockout. Supporters and fans lose interest. Game over.
2 - STRIKE - The players, anticipating a lockout from ownership go on strike.
Predicted result: League fails. American fans hate athletes that strike, and will confuse MLS with a totally professional league - something which we know is absolutely untrue. The missed season will destroy what little confidence fans and supporters had of MLS ever developing into a truly competitive league, domestically and internationally. Supporters and fans lose interest. Game over.
3 - CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS...AGAIN.
Predicted result: More of what we’ve been seeing for the last four or five years. Ownership will fail to convince the Union that they are negotiating in good faith, and that they are being truthful about the state of the league’s finances. Much will remain the same, with some sort of token concession made to the players. Maybe supporters and fans lose interest.
4 - CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS WITH THE PROMISE OF SOMETHING BETTER...LATER ON.
Predicted result: See above, but instead of a token concession, maybe something more substantial. No one expects MLS to roll over on Single Entity, but maybe the salary cap will loosen up a bit. Maybe MLS will relax stance and allow Free Transfers at the end of contracts. Maybe the league will grant each club an additional Designated Player slot and/or reduce the amount the DPs count towards the cap. Select any one of these as a concession, but only one of them. The players may be able to use management’s desire for a 5 year CBA commitment as a bargaining chip to get one or maybe two of these things, but probably nothing truly significant in terms of improving the quality of domestic and international results. Maybe everyone makes a whole bunch of money, it couldn’t hurt to try.
5 - NOT SO CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS
Predicted result: Some form of guaranteed contracts for every player. 15-20% salary cap increase, and/or perhaps a promise of some sort of meaningful “if we do well, you do well” sort of arrangement, and some sort of concession regarding moving toward true free agency. Everyone with sense knows that the future of business is giving employees a piece of the business...I can't think of a better motivating factor...can you?
END OF CURRENT SPECULATION FOR TODAY
EPILOGUE:
Single-Entity protected the league in its infancy, but at some point the training wheels have to come off, and allow MLS room to succeed or fail based on what happens when some of the current constraints are lifted. No one with any sense proposes that MLS clubs should do business the same way the top twelve European clubs do, running at massive financial deficits to try to put together unstoppable teams. Having said that, perhaps the clubs are negotiating from a position of surely being able to do a bit better for the players. Trying to out-Stingy-Old-Coot managers of sporting past, such as the New York Yankee’s Branch Rickey. Honestly, it makes MLS look ridiculous, and Mark Abbott (MLS President), Garber, Anchutz, Hunt, Kroenke, and Dietrich Mateschitz look like carbon copies of Scrooge McDuck.
Gentlemen, many businesses are leveraged by a certain amount of debt. I’ve never seen so many men that profited so much from the free market begin to piss and moan about how the free market doesn’t apply to situations where they might lose money. It’s called entrepreneurial risk for a reason. All the owner-investors in MLS understood they were taking a risk, and presumably agreed to be in it for the long haul to create a truly great thing down the line someday.
Gentlemen...when is someday? Let me know when MLS achieves true professionalism (When the salary caps are comparable to the NBA and NHL), and I’ll be happy to order up some season tickets. Make it soon though, you still owe me for turning MetroStars into the New York Soft Drinks. Despicable.
I’m starting to really not like MLS. Too many promises of promise, not enough clear declarations of when or how promise will be achieved. If it’s going to be like this forever with only a few guys at the top getting true pro cash, and the rest a reserve team of hopefuls living on ramen...then I’m not interested and will cultivate my footballing interest in the development of United Soccer Leagues and its clubs.
Until that day comes it might be wise if collegiate, US youth national team, & amateur club players give it a shot overseas if they want a job with a living wage. Give it three years, see what happens. Refusal to sign with MLS might be the only leverage that American players possess, do not concede your allegiance so cheaply.
“We are working hard, collectively, both the MLSPU and the league, to try to reach an agreement that’s going to be good for both players and management. We are working very hard to do that. We are meeting regularly…we met several times last week and we’re meeting again next week. But we are going to get to a point where both players and management are going to have to make some tough decisions. We’ve been doing very well over the last ten years making this league very stable. We need to ensure we have the right kind of deal to continue to develop the game the way we have and clearly the players are going to have to try to decide what kind of deal they will accept to get the type of things they are looking for. At the end of the day, this is still a very young sport. For 50 years, soccer has failed in this country. And here we are, about to have 18 teams, nearly 10 soccer stadiums, all because we’ve had a system that albeit different, is one that allows us to have this ability to continue to operate and grow for another day.”
- Don Garber, MLS Commisioner (January 16th - Minnesota Soccer Insider)
“Wednesday, Major League Soccer and the players’ union meet again for another round of negotiations in their efforts to hammer out a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. But MLS clubs aren’t worried about a potential lockout on Feb. 1 — at least that’s what they’re showing publicly. Toronto FC hasn’t issued any warnings to its season-seat holders; Chivas USA reports that its “business as usual” as it heads toward the opening of camp; Philadelphia Union Ceo Nick Sakiewicz said last week that any CBA issues had no impact on its draft strategy, and it continues to ford ahead towards its debut season.
Maybe the reason all is so calm with so little time left is because the MLS Players’ Union has had nothing to say. Before the holidays, executive director Bob Foose would return a call or an e-mail with “no comment.” Now, he doesn’t return messages at all. The MLSPU doesn’t talk to the media about the issues at hand. So everyone is in the dark — and that’s simply brutal. We know free agency, the league’s central control of contracts and guaranteed contracts are the issues. But none of that has come through anyone in the MLSPU office. Yes, established players Landon Donovan and Kasey Keller, both veterans who have earned well during their international careers, have blasted MLS and warned of a lockout — all through FIFpro. Not through their own union, but through a larger global organization. It comes off like a couple of rogue players talking tough while clutching mommy’s skirt. Really. And it’s come to this because their own union has had so little to say. Actually, nothing to say. Donovan is on loan with Everton right now, playing out the spring in the bright lights of the Premiership. And Keller is near the end of a career that’s taken him to England and Germany. Do they speak for the rank-and-file player earning US$80K? No. But it’s time for the union to break its silence. It doesn’t have speak with bombast. but by keeping everyone in the dark, the MLSPU looks like nothing more than a paper tiger. And maybe that’s why no team’s front office seems to be worried.”
- Steven Sandor, QMI Agency, published on January 20th at www.torontosun.com
FORWARD:
Ok, so we (human beings) need rhetoric to help us form arguments to get through the debates that exist in our professions and lives today. But ask yourself this: Do you believe a word that Don Garber is saying? I mean he got the 18 team thing right, but I’m pretty certain that only five MLS clubs own their own stadium. Outside of blogs, I haven’t really seen much in the way of official statements from either MLS or the Player’s Union. Closed-door negotiations feel to the supporters and fans like Dad telling you to trundle off to bed so that he and your mother can discuss an important matter in the drawing room. Thanks for that MLS and Player’s Union.
I think one of the scenarios below is likely to come of the current CBA argument:
1 - LOCKOUT - The MLS owners anticipate a player’s strike and lockout all players.
Predicted result: League fails. Whether replacement players (Remember MLS when it started in 96...oh yeah...it could get that bad) are used, or there is simply no season. I don’t believe MLS can survive a lockout. Supporters and fans lose interest. Game over.
2 - STRIKE - The players, anticipating a lockout from ownership go on strike.
Predicted result: League fails. American fans hate athletes that strike, and will confuse MLS with a totally professional league - something which we know is absolutely untrue. The missed season will destroy what little confidence fans and supporters had of MLS ever developing into a truly competitive league, domestically and internationally. Supporters and fans lose interest. Game over.
3 - CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS...AGAIN.
Predicted result: More of what we’ve been seeing for the last four or five years. Ownership will fail to convince the Union that they are negotiating in good faith, and that they are being truthful about the state of the league’s finances. Much will remain the same, with some sort of token concession made to the players. Maybe supporters and fans lose interest.
4 - CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS WITH THE PROMISE OF SOMETHING BETTER...LATER ON.
Predicted result: See above, but instead of a token concession, maybe something more substantial. No one expects MLS to roll over on Single Entity, but maybe the salary cap will loosen up a bit. Maybe MLS will relax stance and allow Free Transfers at the end of contracts. Maybe the league will grant each club an additional Designated Player slot and/or reduce the amount the DPs count towards the cap. Select any one of these as a concession, but only one of them. The players may be able to use management’s desire for a 5 year CBA commitment as a bargaining chip to get one or maybe two of these things, but probably nothing truly significant in terms of improving the quality of domestic and international results. Maybe everyone makes a whole bunch of money, it couldn’t hurt to try.
5 - NOT SO CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS
Predicted result: Some form of guaranteed contracts for every player. 15-20% salary cap increase, and/or perhaps a promise of some sort of meaningful “if we do well, you do well” sort of arrangement, and some sort of concession regarding moving toward true free agency. Everyone with sense knows that the future of business is giving employees a piece of the business...I can't think of a better motivating factor...can you?
END OF CURRENT SPECULATION FOR TODAY
EPILOGUE:
Single-Entity protected the league in its infancy, but at some point the training wheels have to come off, and allow MLS room to succeed or fail based on what happens when some of the current constraints are lifted. No one with any sense proposes that MLS clubs should do business the same way the top twelve European clubs do, running at massive financial deficits to try to put together unstoppable teams. Having said that, perhaps the clubs are negotiating from a position of surely being able to do a bit better for the players. Trying to out-Stingy-Old-Coot managers of sporting past, such as the New York Yankee’s Branch Rickey. Honestly, it makes MLS look ridiculous, and Mark Abbott (MLS President), Garber, Anchutz, Hunt, Kroenke, and Dietrich Mateschitz look like carbon copies of Scrooge McDuck.
Gentlemen, many businesses are leveraged by a certain amount of debt. I’ve never seen so many men that profited so much from the free market begin to piss and moan about how the free market doesn’t apply to situations where they might lose money. It’s called entrepreneurial risk for a reason. All the owner-investors in MLS understood they were taking a risk, and presumably agreed to be in it for the long haul to create a truly great thing down the line someday.
Gentlemen...when is someday? Let me know when MLS achieves true professionalism (When the salary caps are comparable to the NBA and NHL), and I’ll be happy to order up some season tickets. Make it soon though, you still owe me for turning MetroStars into the New York Soft Drinks. Despicable.
I’m starting to really not like MLS. Too many promises of promise, not enough clear declarations of when or how promise will be achieved. If it’s going to be like this forever with only a few guys at the top getting true pro cash, and the rest a reserve team of hopefuls living on ramen...then I’m not interested and will cultivate my footballing interest in the development of United Soccer Leagues and its clubs.
Until that day comes it might be wise if collegiate, US youth national team, & amateur club players give it a shot overseas if they want a job with a living wage. Give it three years, see what happens. Refusal to sign with MLS might be the only leverage that American players possess, do not concede your allegiance so cheaply.
Friday, January 15, 2010
San Jose Earthquakes: Post-Draft Blues In The Bay Area
Credit to the San Jose Earthquakes’ brain-trust of manager Frank Yallop, and general manager John Doyle, they did secure the services (provided they are able to sign him) of defender Ike Opara with their first round pick. The United States and Wake Forest standout will serve the Quakes very well at the Buck Shaw in the coming months ahead.
There was a puzzling turn of events in the second round though. San Jose selected 3rd in the third round, 19th overall. They had a chance to select standout forward Andrew Wiedeman, who in his three years at the University of California scored 30 goals in 59 matches - a strike rate of roughly a goal every other game. These numbers come in one of the most competitive conferences in the NCAA, the Pac-10. Not only could they have signed a talented, true goal poacher of a forward, they would also have signed a talented local player.
Instead the Quakes selected a midfield player, Michael Thomas, from Notre Dame. A fine enough player, perhaps, but outside of collegiate footballing circles virtually unknown.
The selection of Opara was a much needed boost for the league’s worst defense in 2009 conceding 50 goals. In goal scoring the Quakes hit 36 goals. Nine out of the fifteen MLS clubs scored more.
Going strictly by the numbers the scoring was mediocre and the defense deplorable. With this in mind, the second round might have been a good time to choose a ruthless goal poacher such as Wiedeman.
I believe that the management firm of Doyle & Yallop has made a rather serious error in judgement in not selecting Wiedeman. Thanks for exiling him to Texas gentlemen. Perhaps it is time for new leadership at the Buck Shaw. If this coming season produces results that are as comprehensively poor as the last two, I believe that it becomes very clear that John Doyle and Frank Yallop must be thanked for their time of service with the club, and then should graciously step aside in favor of their successors.
There was a puzzling turn of events in the second round though. San Jose selected 3rd in the third round, 19th overall. They had a chance to select standout forward Andrew Wiedeman, who in his three years at the University of California scored 30 goals in 59 matches - a strike rate of roughly a goal every other game. These numbers come in one of the most competitive conferences in the NCAA, the Pac-10. Not only could they have signed a talented, true goal poacher of a forward, they would also have signed a talented local player.
Instead the Quakes selected a midfield player, Michael Thomas, from Notre Dame. A fine enough player, perhaps, but outside of collegiate footballing circles virtually unknown.
The selection of Opara was a much needed boost for the league’s worst defense in 2009 conceding 50 goals. In goal scoring the Quakes hit 36 goals. Nine out of the fifteen MLS clubs scored more.
Going strictly by the numbers the scoring was mediocre and the defense deplorable. With this in mind, the second round might have been a good time to choose a ruthless goal poacher such as Wiedeman.
I believe that the management firm of Doyle & Yallop has made a rather serious error in judgement in not selecting Wiedeman. Thanks for exiling him to Texas gentlemen. Perhaps it is time for new leadership at the Buck Shaw. If this coming season produces results that are as comprehensively poor as the last two, I believe that it becomes very clear that John Doyle and Frank Yallop must be thanked for their time of service with the club, and then should graciously step aside in favor of their successors.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Landon Donovan’s Premiership Debut
In the blinding, steadily falling snow in North London, Landon Donovan made his debut for Everton Football Club. Not against a mid-table opponent, but against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, January 9th.
For sixty-eight minutes at right midfield, Donovan made several decent passes, used his pace to his advantage, and gave the left-sided Arsenal defender Traore fits in his desperation to contain him. Donovan took a corner kick that directly set up Leon Osman’s goal in the twelfth minute giving Everton a 0:1 lead over the hosting Gunners.
In the sixty-ninth minute Donovan began to cramp and came off for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.
The final score was Arsenal 2:2 Everton with the Gunners leveling on a stoppage-time equalizer that took a freak deflection of of the boot of Everton and Austraila defender Lucas Neill.
Donovan earned praise from his new teammates and bosses:
"I thought he fitted in superbly and he has done all week," - Phil Neville, captain of Everton
"He was very good today, he worked his socks off. He has got a great fitness but even he showed how tough the Premier League is.” - David Moyes, Manager of Everton
“Donovan did very well. From what I have seen of him his football’s simple, quick, lively and he was intelligent today. He tracked people back and we know he can play off the front or wide. I thought he made a good contribution.” - David Moyes
All seems to be well so far for Landon. We’ll see how it sorts out this weekend when Manchester City make the trip west to Goodison Park.
[Dramatic old radio program music]
Will Landon Donovan train well enough to start versus City?
Will the Goodison faithful accept America’s football head-boy?
Tune in and find out...when Saturday comes.
For sixty-eight minutes at right midfield, Donovan made several decent passes, used his pace to his advantage, and gave the left-sided Arsenal defender Traore fits in his desperation to contain him. Donovan took a corner kick that directly set up Leon Osman’s goal in the twelfth minute giving Everton a 0:1 lead over the hosting Gunners.
In the sixty-ninth minute Donovan began to cramp and came off for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.
The final score was Arsenal 2:2 Everton with the Gunners leveling on a stoppage-time equalizer that took a freak deflection of of the boot of Everton and Austraila defender Lucas Neill.
Donovan earned praise from his new teammates and bosses:
"I thought he fitted in superbly and he has done all week," - Phil Neville, captain of Everton
"He was very good today, he worked his socks off. He has got a great fitness but even he showed how tough the Premier League is.” - David Moyes, Manager of Everton
“Donovan did very well. From what I have seen of him his football’s simple, quick, lively and he was intelligent today. He tracked people back and we know he can play off the front or wide. I thought he made a good contribution.” - David Moyes
All seems to be well so far for Landon. We’ll see how it sorts out this weekend when Manchester City make the trip west to Goodison Park.
[Dramatic old radio program music]
Will Landon Donovan train well enough to start versus City?
Will the Goodison faithful accept America’s football head-boy?
Tune in and find out...when Saturday comes.
Friday, January 8, 2010
An Open Letter to Mr. James Conrad - Defender/Kansas City & United States
Dear Mr. Conrad,
I hope this messages finds you well, fit, and ready to earn a cap in the upcoming friendly vs. Honduras.
It is not my wish to vilify you as the antichrist of football, nor champion you as the savior of domestic football in America. In fact I wish you luck in this training camp and hope that you re-establish yourself in the picture for the USA World Cup Finals squad. It is my belief that you are a gritty competitor, and a fine footballer.
I wrote my point/counterpoint because you tempted us with your idea that the open-source model used to create Linux could be adapted to better the development of domestic football in this country.
Some of the ideas in your two blog pieces at Soccernet.com were things that I have wanted for years in our game. In respect to those issues, including but not limited to the MLS single-table we are in agreement.
What you wrote after the mention of the Linux book, was not in any way based on this open-source model. You did not use this book about Linux as a source to substantiate your ideas in any way, except as a loose metaphor (“creating a platform for the masses”). You suggested a great many things (such as competing football leagues in this country merging) that may charitably be described as highly unlikely. Your blog entry was long, unfocused, and under-researched.
It has taken hours and hours just to break down your two blog posts into the actual issues that you wanted to discuss. Each point or concept that you wished to discuss merited a separate blog entry of its own. It’s as if in your desire to discuss everything you wanted to, each point/concept was a thesis statement for a book.
I understand that you rarely drink, however I would be happy to buy you that pint of lager and discuss presenting these issues in a more focused and accessible way.
I wish you the best of luck in all that you do.
Sincerely,
Charles Therrell (a/k/a 51NC3P0NG)
I hope this messages finds you well, fit, and ready to earn a cap in the upcoming friendly vs. Honduras.
It is not my wish to vilify you as the antichrist of football, nor champion you as the savior of domestic football in America. In fact I wish you luck in this training camp and hope that you re-establish yourself in the picture for the USA World Cup Finals squad. It is my belief that you are a gritty competitor, and a fine footballer.
I wrote my point/counterpoint because you tempted us with your idea that the open-source model used to create Linux could be adapted to better the development of domestic football in this country.
Some of the ideas in your two blog pieces at Soccernet.com were things that I have wanted for years in our game. In respect to those issues, including but not limited to the MLS single-table we are in agreement.
What you wrote after the mention of the Linux book, was not in any way based on this open-source model. You did not use this book about Linux as a source to substantiate your ideas in any way, except as a loose metaphor (“creating a platform for the masses”). You suggested a great many things (such as competing football leagues in this country merging) that may charitably be described as highly unlikely. Your blog entry was long, unfocused, and under-researched.
It has taken hours and hours just to break down your two blog posts into the actual issues that you wanted to discuss. Each point or concept that you wished to discuss merited a separate blog entry of its own. It’s as if in your desire to discuss everything you wanted to, each point/concept was a thesis statement for a book.
I understand that you rarely drink, however I would be happy to buy you that pint of lager and discuss presenting these issues in a more focused and accessible way.
I wish you the best of luck in all that you do.
Sincerely,
Charles Therrell (a/k/a 51NC3P0NG)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
MLS Labor Dispute
“What’s most disappointing to me is, this isn’t a negotiation for a bunch of players wanting 8 million a year instead of 7 million a year. The main points revolve around us being given the same rights under FIFA as the rest of the players around the world. As an MLS player you have to sign away your FIFA rights before you are allowed to sign your contract. We would like a moderate rise in the salary cap, but the major points for the players are: guaranteed contracts, free agency, and the right to negotiate with other MLS teams. These are some of the basic rights the players in all the other leagues around the world have that we have to sign away. With the huge strides MLS has made since the last CBA this seems very reasonable.”
- Kasey Keller, goalkeeper - Seattle Sounders FC (excerpted from his website)
“Those who believe that we're ready now to start thinking about increasing spending don't believe that it's something that will pay off in the short term. There's a view that perhaps it will pay off in the long term, and there's no guarantee that will happen whatsoever. My role is to ensure that we make good decisions. And this is important: At no point does any owner believe we should make any decisions about spending more money while we're in collective bargaining. It makes absolutely no sense to have anybody think we would be willing to do that.”
- Don Garber, MLS Commissioner (excerpted from a 11/19/2009 interview with Sport’s Illustrated’s Grant Wahl)
Presumed demands of labor:
Guaranteed contracts, true free agency, increase of minimum salary
Presumed demands of management:
5 year CBA, and ?
It seems the true question here is whether or not MLS wants to truly professionalize soccer in America.
Having a high number of players making between $12,900 and $34,000 isn’t true professionalism.
There must be some compromise that can be struck between MLS management and labor that will still ensure a reasonable amount of cost certainty for the league ownership, while affording MLS a chance to experience growth as a legitimate professional sports league.
There is a lot at stake. Large investments in club facilities have been made. The stadiums in Frisco, TX, Sandy, UT, Columbus, OH, Carson, CA and Bridgeview, IL would lie empty, generating not nearly the revenue that they would without the performances of their principal tenants - clubs from MLS. Ownership would have to book a lot of concerts and tractor pulls to make up the difference.
If management is bluffing with a lockout, then it’s a poor bluff as everyone involved has so much at stake. Conversely, labor must be willing to make some concessions.
I don’t think that MLS can survive a lockout or a player’s strike of any length. If MLS were to collapse over this labor dispute, I imagine the players would pursue opportunities in the USL, NASL, and options abroad.
Without full financial transparency, I don’t see how it’s possible for any meaningful agreement to be struck between the two sides. With financial transparency, perhaps the sides could agree to a floating salary cap based on revenues from the season before.
The demands for guaranteed contracts and true free agency seem like reasonable ones from the union. A minimum developmental salary of $30,000/year is reasonable. In return for these things, the union would concede to keeping the single-entity structure in place at least for the course of the 5 year CBA.
If a floating salary cap can be agreed upon, the owners must agree to have their books reviewed by an independent auditor at the conclusion of every season to assess the robustness of the league’s ability to pay salary while maintaining a reasonable profit margin for the different clubs. Of course if management is truly insincere, it wouldn’t matter how many independent auditors went over the MLS ledgers. There is always a way to cry poverty and say there isn’t enough money.
What happened to all the transfer money for Altidore, Dempsey, et. al?
If the franchise purchase price is $40 million, then doesn’t the expansion of Philadelphia, Portland, and Vancouver amount to $120 million in the league’s coffers?
What happened to the money? What has that money been earmarked for?
Too many questions and not enough answers in this debate, and not enough publicly disclosed information on the positions of the sides.
A child with a lemonade stand understands revenue in, product out. The problem is that MLS is not a child’s lemonade stand. It’s been 14 seasons now with the current single-entity system. Perhaps it’s time for things to become a little more flexible. Businesses succeed and fail all the time. Perhaps it’s time for the clubs of MLS to stand on their own. There would have to be revenue sharing and corporate sponsorship, but I think it could be done. Better football, more supporters, dollars in the pockets of everyone involved.
- Kasey Keller, goalkeeper - Seattle Sounders FC (excerpted from his website)
“Those who believe that we're ready now to start thinking about increasing spending don't believe that it's something that will pay off in the short term. There's a view that perhaps it will pay off in the long term, and there's no guarantee that will happen whatsoever. My role is to ensure that we make good decisions. And this is important: At no point does any owner believe we should make any decisions about spending more money while we're in collective bargaining. It makes absolutely no sense to have anybody think we would be willing to do that.”
- Don Garber, MLS Commissioner (excerpted from a 11/19/2009 interview with Sport’s Illustrated’s Grant Wahl)
Presumed demands of labor:
Guaranteed contracts, true free agency, increase of minimum salary
Presumed demands of management:
5 year CBA, and ?
It seems the true question here is whether or not MLS wants to truly professionalize soccer in America.
Having a high number of players making between $12,900 and $34,000 isn’t true professionalism.
There must be some compromise that can be struck between MLS management and labor that will still ensure a reasonable amount of cost certainty for the league ownership, while affording MLS a chance to experience growth as a legitimate professional sports league.
There is a lot at stake. Large investments in club facilities have been made. The stadiums in Frisco, TX, Sandy, UT, Columbus, OH, Carson, CA and Bridgeview, IL would lie empty, generating not nearly the revenue that they would without the performances of their principal tenants - clubs from MLS. Ownership would have to book a lot of concerts and tractor pulls to make up the difference.
If management is bluffing with a lockout, then it’s a poor bluff as everyone involved has so much at stake. Conversely, labor must be willing to make some concessions.
I don’t think that MLS can survive a lockout or a player’s strike of any length. If MLS were to collapse over this labor dispute, I imagine the players would pursue opportunities in the USL, NASL, and options abroad.
Without full financial transparency, I don’t see how it’s possible for any meaningful agreement to be struck between the two sides. With financial transparency, perhaps the sides could agree to a floating salary cap based on revenues from the season before.
The demands for guaranteed contracts and true free agency seem like reasonable ones from the union. A minimum developmental salary of $30,000/year is reasonable. In return for these things, the union would concede to keeping the single-entity structure in place at least for the course of the 5 year CBA.
If a floating salary cap can be agreed upon, the owners must agree to have their books reviewed by an independent auditor at the conclusion of every season to assess the robustness of the league’s ability to pay salary while maintaining a reasonable profit margin for the different clubs. Of course if management is truly insincere, it wouldn’t matter how many independent auditors went over the MLS ledgers. There is always a way to cry poverty and say there isn’t enough money.
What happened to all the transfer money for Altidore, Dempsey, et. al?
If the franchise purchase price is $40 million, then doesn’t the expansion of Philadelphia, Portland, and Vancouver amount to $120 million in the league’s coffers?
What happened to the money? What has that money been earmarked for?
Too many questions and not enough answers in this debate, and not enough publicly disclosed information on the positions of the sides.
A child with a lemonade stand understands revenue in, product out. The problem is that MLS is not a child’s lemonade stand. It’s been 14 seasons now with the current single-entity system. Perhaps it’s time for things to become a little more flexible. Businesses succeed and fail all the time. Perhaps it’s time for the clubs of MLS to stand on their own. There would have to be revenue sharing and corporate sponsorship, but I think it could be done. Better football, more supporters, dollars in the pockets of everyone involved.
USA Wins 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship
Saskatoon, SK
After a gritty semi-final effort seeing the United States past Sweden 5:2, the USA faced Canada in the final match of the World Junior ice hockey tournament on Tuesday.
It was a similar match to the 4:4 group game the USA played against Canada. Canada won the shootout, as there was little separating the two teams.
In the Final, it was again proven that there was little between the two sides as they would exchange the lead three times over the first two periods.
With the United States leading 5:3 late in the 3rd and final period, a heroic effort by Canada culminated in two late goals scored over a span of 1:14 by the skillful, dynamic Jordan Eberle. Eberle would go on to be named Best Forward at the tournament. Well deserved accolade for the young Canadian.
Displaying closely-knit team play, gritty determination and some fine goaltending by young Jack Campbell, the United States held off Canada’s attempt to score a last gasp winner and forced overtime.
The overtime would see a shock winner scored by defenseman John Carlson, his second of the match. The sudden-death goal, scored 4:31 into the period clinched a gold medal for the United States and ended the Canadian’s streak of 5 consecutive World Junior championships.
In victory, USA captain Derek Stepan showed admiration for the skill of Eberle and Canada. Exemplifying class well beyond his years, Stepan credited his teammates and coach Dean Blais in helping to secure the title for the Americans.
This young team led by such players as Jordan Schroeder, Chris Kreider, Ryan Bourque, Mike Lee, Jack Campbell, Jerry D’Amigo, Derek Stepan, John Carlson, Cam Fowler and Danny Kristo, are perhaps giving us a glimpse of the team that may play in Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics. The exploits of the Americans, Canadians, and the Swedes (who convincingly defeated Switzerland 11:4 in the bronze medal match) have certainly given us a preview as to who may be selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft that will be held this Summer.
After the USA had won, the predominantly Canadian supporters in the stadium stood and applauded. A classy display by civilized and decent people. I hope that if the situation is reversed in Buffalo, New York with Canada defeating America that the mostly Americans in attendance will show the same respect and sportsmanship.
Well done United States, well done Canada.
After a gritty semi-final effort seeing the United States past Sweden 5:2, the USA faced Canada in the final match of the World Junior ice hockey tournament on Tuesday.
It was a similar match to the 4:4 group game the USA played against Canada. Canada won the shootout, as there was little separating the two teams.
In the Final, it was again proven that there was little between the two sides as they would exchange the lead three times over the first two periods.
With the United States leading 5:3 late in the 3rd and final period, a heroic effort by Canada culminated in two late goals scored over a span of 1:14 by the skillful, dynamic Jordan Eberle. Eberle would go on to be named Best Forward at the tournament. Well deserved accolade for the young Canadian.
Displaying closely-knit team play, gritty determination and some fine goaltending by young Jack Campbell, the United States held off Canada’s attempt to score a last gasp winner and forced overtime.
The overtime would see a shock winner scored by defenseman John Carlson, his second of the match. The sudden-death goal, scored 4:31 into the period clinched a gold medal for the United States and ended the Canadian’s streak of 5 consecutive World Junior championships.
In victory, USA captain Derek Stepan showed admiration for the skill of Eberle and Canada. Exemplifying class well beyond his years, Stepan credited his teammates and coach Dean Blais in helping to secure the title for the Americans.
This young team led by such players as Jordan Schroeder, Chris Kreider, Ryan Bourque, Mike Lee, Jack Campbell, Jerry D’Amigo, Derek Stepan, John Carlson, Cam Fowler and Danny Kristo, are perhaps giving us a glimpse of the team that may play in Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics. The exploits of the Americans, Canadians, and the Swedes (who convincingly defeated Switzerland 11:4 in the bronze medal match) have certainly given us a preview as to who may be selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft that will be held this Summer.
After the USA had won, the predominantly Canadian supporters in the stadium stood and applauded. A classy display by civilized and decent people. I hope that if the situation is reversed in Buffalo, New York with Canada defeating America that the mostly Americans in attendance will show the same respect and sportsmanship.
Well done United States, well done Canada.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
US Soccer TV
I was perusing the Everton website today, and noted the ballyhooed arrival of Landon Donvan on a 10-week loan spell from LA Galaxy. And I started thinking how cool it would be if Landon, if deemed match-fit by the always worried-looking David Moyes, might feature as a substitute against Arsenal this Saturday. Landon Donovan playing against one of the feature clubs of not just Britain, but also all of Europe.
With my imagination still captured with this sparkly set of thoughts, I think to myself
“Who will televise this game?”
“Surely Fox Soccer Channel or Setanta Sport will broadcast it.”
I check the FSC schedule and no dice. I check the Setanta listings...nothing. This means that the match will happen as scheduled, but is effectively blacked-out in the United States.
(The Arsenal v. Everton match was later added to the Setanta Sport schedule on Saturday, January 9)
We’ve finally gotten to the point here where there is a ton of football coverage in this country. Sadly, there aren’t many matches that feature American players that might actually score a goal. I was hoping that the ManU v. Leeds match would feature former Duke University striker Mike Grella. Grella rode the pine for the entire match, and I feel quite fortunate that I slept through the match’s 5 a.m. Pacific Time kick-off.
The last time I saw a match featuring a United States forward was Bolton v. Hull. Altidore was subbed at the 55th minute for Nick Barmby.
US Soccer should consider beginning a great venture. A venture that might generate a serious amount of capital that could be used to bolster and improve both MLS and the United State’s national team programs.
US Soccer TV.
Not the snappiest name, but that’s what the ad guys are there for.
US Soccer would purchase the rights to televise any match featuring a player who is eligible to suit up for the United States in international play. No need to peruse listings from three or more different providers. No bouncing between Gol TV, Setanta Sport, and Fox Soccer Channel.
Want to see the best we got play overseas - done. It would be the equivalent of state television, except in this case only for the purpose of broadcasting soccer. It could feature all matches of US National teams. It could be available in glorious High Definition. They could carry advertising from all of the corporate sponsors of US Soccer and MLS. Most Americans probably don’t know that American forward Seb Harris plays at Northampton Town in England’s League Two. US Soccer TV could change all that. Kenny Cooper Jr. starting for 1860 Munich in the 2 Bundesliga - no problem. Rangers reserves match featuring DaMarcus Beasley - done.
We read about the exploits of Marcus Tracy, Mike Grella, Jemal Johnson, and many other American players overseas. We seldom get to see them play though, and that is quite sad really.
Sunil...US Soccer TV.......think about the possibilities....or in a language you better understand, think about the dollars - the millions of dollars.
With my imagination still captured with this sparkly set of thoughts, I think to myself
“Who will televise this game?”
“Surely Fox Soccer Channel or Setanta Sport will broadcast it.”
I check the FSC schedule and no dice. I check the Setanta listings...nothing. This means that the match will happen as scheduled, but is effectively blacked-out in the United States.
(The Arsenal v. Everton match was later added to the Setanta Sport schedule on Saturday, January 9)
We’ve finally gotten to the point here where there is a ton of football coverage in this country. Sadly, there aren’t many matches that feature American players that might actually score a goal. I was hoping that the ManU v. Leeds match would feature former Duke University striker Mike Grella. Grella rode the pine for the entire match, and I feel quite fortunate that I slept through the match’s 5 a.m. Pacific Time kick-off.
The last time I saw a match featuring a United States forward was Bolton v. Hull. Altidore was subbed at the 55th minute for Nick Barmby.
US Soccer should consider beginning a great venture. A venture that might generate a serious amount of capital that could be used to bolster and improve both MLS and the United State’s national team programs.
US Soccer TV.
Not the snappiest name, but that’s what the ad guys are there for.
US Soccer would purchase the rights to televise any match featuring a player who is eligible to suit up for the United States in international play. No need to peruse listings from three or more different providers. No bouncing between Gol TV, Setanta Sport, and Fox Soccer Channel.
Want to see the best we got play overseas - done. It would be the equivalent of state television, except in this case only for the purpose of broadcasting soccer. It could feature all matches of US National teams. It could be available in glorious High Definition. They could carry advertising from all of the corporate sponsors of US Soccer and MLS. Most Americans probably don’t know that American forward Seb Harris plays at Northampton Town in England’s League Two. US Soccer TV could change all that. Kenny Cooper Jr. starting for 1860 Munich in the 2 Bundesliga - no problem. Rangers reserves match featuring DaMarcus Beasley - done.
We read about the exploits of Marcus Tracy, Mike Grella, Jemal Johnson, and many other American players overseas. We seldom get to see them play though, and that is quite sad really.
Sunil...US Soccer TV.......think about the possibilities....or in a language you better understand, think about the dollars - the millions of dollars.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Thoughts on the MLS labor negotiations
Kasey Keller has written on his website that Management and Labor are far apart in the MLS labor negotiations. Keller states that MLS anticipates a lockout, and has set a probable lockout date of February 1st.
http://kaseyslastline.com/
So maybe better a league with single-entity than no league at all.
I have the feeling that there isn't a tremendous amount of wiggle room on this one, and that the best that the Player's Union can hope for is a slightly expanded salary cap. I doubt it will be a very large increase. The minimum developmental salary does need to be more than the roughly $12,900 and $17,200 that I think is the going rate just now. If they could get the minimum up to, say, $30,000 it would be competitive with many professional starting salaries in non-sports jobs.
Jordan Cila opted to leave his MLS club in New York, retiring in 2006, because he accepted a position as an interest rate derivative analyst for Goldman Sachs.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jordan-cila/4/576/1a8
I wonder how many others like him have had to make similar choices since MLS was founded?
As far as guaranteed contracts and players leaving on a truly "free" transfer within MLS...I don't think the league would grant that, even if they could.
http://kaseyslastline.com/
So maybe better a league with single-entity than no league at all.
I have the feeling that there isn't a tremendous amount of wiggle room on this one, and that the best that the Player's Union can hope for is a slightly expanded salary cap. I doubt it will be a very large increase. The minimum developmental salary does need to be more than the roughly $12,900 and $17,200 that I think is the going rate just now. If they could get the minimum up to, say, $30,000 it would be competitive with many professional starting salaries in non-sports jobs.
Jordan Cila opted to leave his MLS club in New York, retiring in 2006, because he accepted a position as an interest rate derivative analyst for Goldman Sachs.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jordan-cila/4/576/1a8
I wonder how many others like him have had to make similar choices since MLS was founded?
As far as guaranteed contracts and players leaving on a truly "free" transfer within MLS...I don't think the league would grant that, even if they could.
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