2015 MLS preview: 5 storylines to watch for

Feb 28, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Columbus Crew midfielder Ethan Finlay (13) puts a shot on the Energy FC goal during the IMG Suncoast Pro Classic at IMG Academy Stadium. Columbus won the game 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

MLS to get the TV time, now has to prevent a players strike

It just seems fitting that the one pro sport that seems as if it’s about to take off when everyone thought it wouldn’t, could get delayed.

If the MLS’ new TV era is going to prosper, along with the continued growth of the sport in the country, the MLS has to do everything possible to agree to a new CBA to avoid the work stoppage.

Long story short, MLS players are underpaid (severely) compared to other American pro athletes, except the designated players and the league’s top stara. A player’s right to move between teams, or even coming back to the league should the player go elsewhere are restricted.

To put more pressure on the MLS and the MLSPU to get this CBA deal done, the league announced last week that Sky Sports in the UK will air MLS games starting this weekend.

The MLS will receive five-times the amount of television rights fees in 2015 ($90 million) that they received in all of 2014 ($18 million).

The money isn’t the worse part of the pending strike.  For the first time, the league will have regular broadcast windows with doubleheaders scheduled for Sunday afternoons on ESPN2 and Fox Sports 1 at 5 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. ET respectively, adding a sense of consistency for the first time with MLS broadcasts.  With two major networks investing big money into the league, the stakes have never been higher for MLS to succeed.

At least we know when we can watch the games now.  That is, if we get to watch the games.