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MLS owners anger Players Union with laughable “free agency” proposal

By Alan Condon

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MLS and its Players Union are currently in negotiations over player contract conditions, but the MLS aren’t giving the players much to work with, which may invite a strike at the beginning of the new season next week.

A federal mediator has been brought in to handle the negotiations between the two parties but the MLS have put forward an insulting free agency proposal to the Players Union, according to the Washington Post.

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Under the proposed scenario, players aged 32 and over with at least ten years’ experience with the same club would have the option to become a free agent.

Very few players would qualify under this proposal. The MLS clearly don’t want to budge on the current structure of the league, and this measly attempt looks like their attempt at a “take it or leave it” offer.

Unlike other US sports leagues, MLS players do not have the freedom to directly negotiate with other teams inside the league when their contracts expire.

MLS players out of contract do have the ability to leave the league altogether and sign overseas. In many cases, though, their previous MLS club retains their rights should they seek to return to the league.

These hardline negotiation tactics by the MLS may win the battle but it will certainly leave a sour taste in the mouths of the Players Union. The majority of MLS players cannot sustain a prolonged strike, so accepting these terms would largely be considered a defeat, but sweeping the problem under the rug for another couple of months wouldn’t serve to benefit either sides.

The 2015 MLS season is due to commence on March 6 when LA Galaxy host Chicago Fire, but it remains to be seen if either teams will be missing players from their squad, should the Players Union encourage a strike.

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