Unfortunately, I'm probably not going to get it: MLS players prepared to strike
When I look at the situation I have to, by and large, come down on the side of the players in this one. I simply think it is time to alter the structure put in place during the league's infancy. I certainly didn't support the players when after 3 or 4 season they began to make strike threats, it now is a different landscape. The owners cannot forever live on the "newness" of the league as being a reason why the original system must not be changed.
I'll point out, that I say this as one who only rarely takes the side of players unions in these types of disputes. Sometime, I take the "a plague on both your houses" approach, like in MLB back in 1994, but most often I side with the owners. The most recent example of that was the hockey lockout back in 2005.
As much as I'd love to have MLS start on-time, particularly since I've recently switched to satellite TV and can purchase the MLS season package, I have to cheer on the players this time.
I'm just hoping the owners cave soon.
UPDATE:
Further proof that even DishNetwork doesn't think there will be MLS anytime soon; only two weeks or so before the season begins, DishNetwork is still not allowing people to sign up for the Direct Kick service.
MLS players have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike if a collective bargaining agreement with the league is not reached in time for the season openers in two weeks, the Insider has learned.
In a written vote, more than 350 players supported a strike and only two opposed it, a source close to the situation said.
"We will not start the season without a new agreement," said a veteran player, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. "To be quite blunt, it doesn't look good at all."
When I look at the situation I have to, by and large, come down on the side of the players in this one. I simply think it is time to alter the structure put in place during the league's infancy. I certainly didn't support the players when after 3 or 4 season they began to make strike threats, it now is a different landscape. The owners cannot forever live on the "newness" of the league as being a reason why the original system must not be changed.
I'll point out, that I say this as one who only rarely takes the side of players unions in these types of disputes. Sometime, I take the "a plague on both your houses" approach, like in MLB back in 1994, but most often I side with the owners. The most recent example of that was the hockey lockout back in 2005.
As much as I'd love to have MLS start on-time, particularly since I've recently switched to satellite TV and can purchase the MLS season package, I have to cheer on the players this time.
I'm just hoping the owners cave soon.
UPDATE:
Further proof that even DishNetwork doesn't think there will be MLS anytime soon; only two weeks or so before the season begins, DishNetwork is still not allowing people to sign up for the Direct Kick service.
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