Who is most to blame: The USSF or The Players Union

[Knave]

Sorry for another thread on this topic (and a poll to boot), but I just read this quote from the players union lawyer, Mark Levinstein, and wanted to ask about it.
"The fans will say that the players are overpaid and that they should be proud to wear the jersey of the United States, and that is what the federation is counting on."

From the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/21/sports/soccer/21soccer.html)
So, we're the fans, right? Do any of us think that? My sense is that it's just the opposite. OK, so maybe we don't exactly think they're underpaid, but I'm pretty sure we don't think they're getting a fair deal by the federation. My sense is that we the fans have very little patience for the federation and basically think they're a bunch of petty and corrupt bastards who don't give two sh!ts about the players. In short, even if the rationale isn't quite what Levinstein envisions, the fans probably do take the side of the players in this labor dispute.

Am I wrong in that belief? I'd like to know, hence this poll.

And if that's really what the USSF believes then maybe we should correct their misperception. Their contact information (http://www.ussoccer.com/feedback/default.sps) is, after all, readily available.

[SABuffalo786]

Honestly, I can't stand either of them for bringing it to this.


But if I was pushed for an name, I'd have to go for the USSF. We've had two years to take care of this. Why now, of all times?


We should petition both sides to allow a fan representative to the bargaining sessions. Everytime it's our turn to speak, the fan representative does nothing but go to each respective USSF/Player representative, slap them upside the head, and scream "ARE YOUR F-ING STUPID OR SOMETHING? IT'S THE WORLD CUP, RETARDS"


In all seriousness, though, if that's what the USSF is banking on, we need to let them know that they are DEAD wrong. Indignant E-Mails can only take us so far. Any of you Section 8ers feel like a good old fashioned protest outside Soccer House?

[sidefootsitter]

I think they are underpaid in terms of the revenues they bring in.

[denver_mugwamp]

There's plenty of blame to go around in this. No reason for one side to hog it all. Both the USSF and the players feel they have the bigger bargaining chip and that they will prevail. Both are willing to take it to the brink. There will be no winners if this thing isn't settled. And US soccer will be the biggest loser.

[ursula]

At this point I can't decide because I don't have enough info. What is each side saying to the other? What do they really want? What are the hidden agendas? The Times article, particularly the last paragraph speaks to the idea that maybe the players want more attention directed at them as opposed towards MLS. If that's true it may complicate the negotiations and makes it very hard for we fans to understand some of the nuances...

More to the point of your question Benjamin, from reading most of the comments on this forum, I do notice a current of, " the players should be happy for any compensation because they are representing their country and should be proud of it" or something to that effect. I think it's a minority position; it probably doesn't address the dispute directly but if does serve management's position. But again I think that's a big minority position that could be swayed if some of the posters knew more of the USSF.

[purojogo]

the ussf, if anything, for letting this drag on for 2 years...... And because, IINM even their own internal analysis, published somewhere in PDF format (forgot where) did indicate a certain lack of a healthy structure to deal with issues.... So it was up to them to at least begin taking some steps....But so far, very little has been seen.....

[Serie Zed]

If it's true that the Fed has collected a $30m surplus while paying the players 7% of the revenues, the answer here is obvious.

[Dave Brother]

The players have shown plenty of good faith bargaining by playing this long with out a new contract. The World Cup is they're big chip. Time won't slow down. "Management" will either need to get serious or face the whole reason for they're existance start to go down the toilet.

On another side of the coin, if you want to play for free and represent the US then the Olympics is your ticket. Our boys that play for the Nat's have chosen soccer to pay the bills. So yes I think, while it's a privledge to represent your country to the world, they need to be compensated for it.

If you haven't guessed by now, I am backing labor on this.

[croix]

Oops, I accidently voted the opposite.
It's the USSF fault for this fiasco.

Though I have not offered my full attention to the matter at hand, I do believe that the soccer players should get mote money.
After all, we are the most richest country and due to the results at WC02, how could the USSF hold out?

my two cents...

[GPK]

Each of the 25 players received $250,000 each for the World Cup. The USSF netted $6,000,000 for those games. That's a net loss.

Personally I think they're both to blame for the timing of this mess. It takes two to tango.

[scarshins]

No one's to blame. It's negotiations.

[Dave Brother]

No one's to blame. It's negotiations.

Well said.

[Red Star]

I think that the USSF had the superior opportunity, ability and incentive to resolve this issue. Therefore I believe that they are primarily responsible for the problem. Remeber, it was the USSF who brought up replacement players for a WCQ match.

[Red Star]

Each of the 25 players received $250,000 each for the World Cup. The USSF netted $6,000,000 for those games. That's a net loss.

Personally I think they're both to blame for the timing of this mess. It takes two to tango.

The word "netted" implies that the $6,000,000 the USSF got was the "net" amount after the players were paid. Which is consistent with my admittedly vague understanding of USSF finances.

[FlashMan]

The USSF should shoot itself up with heroin and walk into Lake Michigan.

The Wankers.

They can go ******** themselves. I hope they die.

[Carson Galaxy]

The USSF should shoot itself up with heroin and walk into Lake Michigan.

The Wankers.

They can go ******** themselves. I hope they die.

But, really...how do you feel?

[jmeissen0]

Each of the 25 players received $250,000 each for the World Cup. The USSF netted $6,000,000 for those games. That's a net loss.

Personally I think they're both to blame for the timing of this mess. It takes two to tango.


that's what they got from fifa for being there

you get money from other sources however

[FlashMan]

But, really...how do you feel?

i don't know what their financial situation is.

all i know is the national team is about to make them a whole kitchen kaboodle of cash, as in the green stuff. it's just going to get bigger and better as we go.

threatening the national team with scab players?

priceless...if U want a one-way ticket to hell.

[GPK]

The word "netted" implies that the $6,000,000 the USSF got was the "net" amount after the players were paid. Which is consistent with my admittedly vague understanding of USSF finances.

Well I meant grossed $6Mil. Supposedly they made 1 Mil per match. Never mind the hotel costs, trans, security, etc....

[Carson Galaxy]

i don't know what their financial situation is.

all i know is the national team is about to make them a whole kitchen kaboodle of cash, as in the green stuff. it's just going to get bigger and better as we go.

threatening the national team with scab players?

priceless...if U want a one-way ticket to hell.

Sometimes a kitchen kaboodle does not satisfy people, the USSF in this case. They want 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, large livingroom, walk in closets, large backyard with pool and tennis court, etc....

Lets just hope this gets resolved early in the new year and everyone can move on.