The Inequities and the Tyranny of Evil Men?

So first this morning we get word that Fédération Internationale Des Associations de Footballeurs Professionels (FIFPro) has spoken out on behalf of the MLS Players Union supporting their claims that how the league handles player contracts is against FIFA regulations.

Now we hear from Grant Wahl that the 3,000lb gorilla in the room (better known as Sepp Blatter, I mean, FIFA) will not get involved in the labor negotiations between MLS and the MLSPU. What a surprise! FIFA unwilling to involve itself in an issue on behalf of players, choosing instead to support the side of profit and greed. Same , different day. So who is to blame for this? The Seattle Sounders? (I wish, but sadly not this time). I think we need to resort to a nursery rhyme to uncover the truth behind this nonsense...Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, I smell the blood of Sunil Gulati.

With U.S. Soccer just getting the full support of CONCACAF for their 2018/22 World Cup bid, the last thing they need is for labor armageddon in the FIFA sanctioned first division in the United States. Sepp Blatter, Jack Warner and the rest of the money grubbing good for nothings that make up the clown car that is FIFA realize that billions of dollars are at stake in placing a World Cup Final back in the United States. The last thing these clowns are going to do is compromise a money making opportunity, even if it means ignoring potential violations of FIFA regulations and allowing MLS to treat its players like indentured servants. So what if players are being denied fair wages, free agency and having their 10% cut of outgoing transfer fees kept from them, they should just be happy to be playing football right? Don't make me laugh. Next thing you know the players will be forced to redeem an expedia coupon code to get from game to game!

We've dealt with this before in Americn sports, legal battles have been fough, careers ruined, all in the name of allowing players to earn fair wages and become free agents. For example, under the current system MLS players are unable to move freely within the league itself even after their contracts end due to a stipulation that allows the club to keep their rights even after the contract expires...Curt Flood* is turning circles in his grave.

Despite the best efforts of the MLSPU it seems very likely that Don Garber and MLS will get away with treating players like second class citizens for another CBA cycle. The league will continue to underpay players, deny free agency, deny guaranteed contracts and continue to hold on to the ability to terminate contracts on a whim. Clark Hunt and John Wagner must love this crap. Of course, the players could strike and dive MLS into the abyss of labor hell from which much stronger and bigger leagues have struggled to crawl back out of. Don't bury your head in sand, this is real possibility.

I'm not saying it will happen, I'm not saying I want MLS to crash in to oblivion. I am saying the players have every right to defend themselves from inequities and the tyranny of evil men...and no sport is chock full of evil men like football.


*Curt Flood became one of the pivotal figures in baseball's labor history when he refused to accept a trade following the 1969 season, ultimately appealing his case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Although his legal challenge was unsuccessful, it brought about additional solidarity among players as they fought against baseball's reserve clause and sought free agency.