DC United F Wayne Rooney said that said that American players in MLS "do not get paid enough." He added that team owners and league officials should "increase wages" in the next CBA. Rooney: "I feel they deserve to get more money to stay in line with football in the rest of the world and in terms of the American sports." The existing CBA is due to expire on Jan. 31, 2020, with players previously "threatening to strike if changes are not made to salaries, travel accommodations and more freedom of movement between MLS clubs when contracts expire" (ESPN.com, 9/16).
PLAYING THE LONG GAME: In S.F., Bruce Jenkins notes through Sunday, the "average MLB game time was 3:09," which is the "longest in history when compared to season-ending figures." With balls "flying out of the parks at a ridiculous rate, innings have grown longer and the amount of pitching changes has become over-the-top intolerable" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/18).
DO YOU HAVE A MINUTE? In Montreal, Pat Hickey noted U.S. Open champ Bianca Andreescu "breezed into town to resume her training this week and her team decided she wasn’t going to speak with the media because she wanted to stay focused on tennis." Andreescu has "missed an opportunity to connect with her fans in Montreal." It was also a "missed opportunity for Tennis Canada to hype" next summer’s Rogers Cup, where Andreescu will be defending champ, although it is likely "Bianca-fever will prevail even if this week leaves a few noses out of joint" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 9/17).
