How do MLS contracts work???

montgjules · 11-12-2004, 12:42 PM

Can somebody explain to me how hiring and contracts work with the MLS? I mean, my husband couldn't just get traded to a different part of his company once a year and get relocated. But it seems like this is how MLS works. "Okay. I hope you like really hot weather and really cold weather. You're going to Utah." And then they are required to just up and move their families, sell their homes, etc? Or can they refuse? That doens't seem like it would be fair to the teams who chose them instead of somebody else. How does that work? Are their salaries set by the league so they'll get paid the same no matter which team they're playing for? And can they sign a multi-year contract with a team so they are not allowed to just choose to go to another team the next year (thinking of Keller wanting to play in.. seattle? portland? where was it?). Are they forced to stay with the team unless they're left unprotected and picked up by someone else? HELP! 😕

Call me stupid for not knowing this, but I just feel stupid for not asking sooner. Someone please explain!

Jim Umber · 11-12-2004, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montgjules

Call me stupid for not knowing this, but I just feel stupid for not asking sooner. Someone please explain!

Don't feel bad. I don't know how they work, either. whoever knows the answer, come to our rescue!😕

Czar Jake · 11-12-2004, 05:31 PM

I'll bet the reason so many people are responding is that they know exactly how they work. :D

I'm not sure either. I understand other sports' contract siteations much better but the whole MLS single-entity thing really muddies the waters.

montgjules · 11-12-2004, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Czar Jake

I'll bet the reason so many people are responding is that they know exactly how they work. :D

I'm not sure either. I understand other sports' contract siteations much better but the whole MLS single-entity thing really muddies the waters.

Do you pronounce that sit-you-ay-shun, sit-ee-ay-shun or site-ay-shun?

Perhaps this is some information we should make a point of getting before the expansion draft, so we can appreciate it and understand it a little better. If anyone has time to do a search for it, go for it. If we haven't figured it out by next Tuesday or so, I'll email Trey and ask if he knows of any resources for us.

SoccerPrime · 11-12-2004, 08:38 PM

MLS itself, unlike most major pro sports league, operates as basically the player agent for players in MLS. Its called "single-entity" and although even though its far more complicated then I will explain, heres the basics. Each team has a cap/budget. Somewhere around 1.75 million right now. Each team gets to decide who they want within that budget. But here is the key. MLS (the league) gets final decision on any transaction. So just because Kasey Keller now plays for RSL and wants to go to Seattle MLS, MLS might not like the idea and nix the trade. MLS also organizes special drafts (expansion, rookie etc) where it allows the teams to pick players. However not only do they host the "party" of drafting they also control the rules. Thus even though Dallas Burn has the allocation for the first pick and wants Freddy Adu, MLS wants whats best for Freddy (and themselves), so they force Dallas to trade with DC United for future considerations.
MLS also has odd rules that limit foreign players on each team and force teams to have a certain number of Americans (ala Chivas USA). Imagine Chelsea living by such rules or even Real Madrid???? 🙂 HAHAHA....
So basically, yes, MLS can force a player to go somewhere he doesn't want to go. Of course the player can just quit or MLS may think getting the player pissed and be unhappy is not worth it.
But thats it in a nutshell. I hope that helps a little bit.

Jim Umber · 11-17-2004, 10:04 AM

Thanks. Now I understand everything... ... ...I think. That's basically what I thought, but it sounds rather complicated, and it sounds like MLS has a lot more say in what transpires than what I expected.

Let's hope that RSL are in good standing with the rulers of the MLS! I wouldn't want Ellinger to pick someone and have MLS say, "go fish". 😲

Scilaci · 05-18-2005, 11:27 AM

So... who on our squad (can I use that word?) gets paid the mostest? Who gets paid the least? Do we even know?

Deuce · 05-18-2005, 11:28 AM

Another thread resurrected... by Dr. Scilaci! If that is your real name!

Scilaci · 05-18-2005, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce

Another thread resurrected... by Dr. Scilaci! If that is your real name!

excilantro. 😉

SoccerPrime · 05-18-2005, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scilaci

So... who on our squad (can I use that word?) gets paid the mostest? Who gets paid the least? Do we even know?

I don't know all the figures, but Mathis and Pope are the highest. If I remember right, Mathis makes about 350,000 and Pope makes 250,000.
The LEAST that a MLS player can make, according to the CBA is 30,000 a year.
Watson and Besagno will probably make way more than the other rookies because they are actually paid by MLS thru a slush fund addidas set up for them. Probably over 90,000.