The labor dispute between MLS and its players union is "close to passing the point of no return," as recent negotiations "haven't made the amount of leeway those involved had hoped," according to Christopher Kamrani of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE. The '15 season is scheduled to begin March 6, meaning nine days is "all that affords the two sides to reach an agreement." The past four weeks "have been dedicated to reaching common ground, but it remains unclear if either side will yield." Having free agency implemented "remains the chief objective" of the MLSPU, a transition that "would no longer make MLS the single-entity system it currently is based upon." Real Salt Lake G and union rep Nick Rimando said, "We're more united than we've ever been. When the word strike comes up, I believe it this time. I believe the players are ready, I believe our lawyers have prepared us well and it's a (more) real feeling than in past years." Kamrani notes the '10 CBA negotiations "were similar in that they went down to the wire before an agreement was reached five days before the first match of the season." RSL Owner Dell Loy Hansen said that each week he "receives a letter from Commissioner Don Garber warning of a $250,000 fine if owners offer too much insight on the matter" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 2/25). ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle noted MLSPU Exec Board member Dan Kennedy "insisted the union remains unified." Kennedy: "When we poll the players, (free agency) continues to be on top of the list. At one point, it's going to affect everybody. It won't be year in and year out. In any sports league that's not the case. Players just want to have the right to choose where they go and ply their trade" (ESPNFC.com, 2/23).
KICK THEM WHILE THEY'RE UP? In Philadelphia, John Smallwood writes under the header, "Labor Strife Could Bring Irreparable Harm To MLS." The league is "about as healthy as it has ever been," so "naturally, both parties are threatening to blow it all up." But MLS "should fear free agency." All it "has to do is look at how free agency in every other professional sports league dramatically drove up player salaries" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 2/25). Toronto FC MF Michael Bradley said, "Everyone involved, their sole focus needs to be on cutting through the BS to really understand where both sides are to position ourselves to find the best possible deal that works for everybody" (TORONTO SUN, 2/25).
