Gazza going home empty-handed.

[BallStateMiddie]

Call me crazy, but nobody's posted this yet:
http://www.soccertimes.com/mls/2002/jul30.htm
It still looks possible, but they're at least pushing it back. I was hoping to hear him get signed by tomorrow. Oh well.

[morrissey]

Yes, he is going home. Read the Washington Posts article about it. Looks like all of the roadblocks are gone and a decision will be made by Ray/DCU in 48 hours.

james

[Minnman]

Since this seems to be the Gazza thread with the most recent updates, here's the Post article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23780-2002Jul30.html

In that article, and the one in SoccerTimes, there are two important pieces of information, IMO.

First, in the Post article, Hudson says:

'the league "hasn't interfered to this point and I don't expect them to," he said. "At the end of the day, it's my decision. I'll be held fully accountable."'

And the article goes on to say:

"Hudson's statement that it is United's decision "sounds consistent with the teams' collective wishes for holding responsibility and accountability for their competition-related and player personnel decisions," MLS spokesman Trey
Fitz-Gerald said. "It's part of our evolution as a league.""

Sounds like obtaining a discovery pick isn't as important as it appeared to be a day or two ago.

Now, far more shocking to me is what's included in the SoccerTimes article:

http://www.soccertimes.com/mls/2002/jul30.htm

"If Hudson and United technical director Dave Kasper make the decision they want Gascoigne, the league office would have to sign off on the deal. Reportedly, the financial details have already been worked out for a contract running through the end of 2003, which would pay the player the league maximum of $260,000 next season and a pro-rated portion for the remainder of this year, approximately $80,000, maybe even less. "

League max!!!???? This is what Hudson considers the "price of the salt on the
peanuts?"

I've been mildly against the Gazza signing to this point, mostly because I don't think he'd add much to the league on the pitch. But previous reports had said he'd come to MLS on the cheap. Sorry, but a league max salary ain't cheap, by my way of looking at it. I simply cannot imagine DC United signing Gascoigne through next season at such a salary. Something would have to give considering the salaries that Etcheverry, Pope and Moreno must be earning on this team already, and what guys like Olsen, Convey, Quranta and Rimando will be asking for the next time their contracts come up for renegotiation.

[Northside Rovers]

I would be almost disapponted at this point if he doesn't sign.

After years of seeing all the Gazza to MLS rumors, her he is. And then nothing - because of a Discovery Pick.

[Casper]

Originally posted by Minnman

I've been mildly against the Gazza signing to this point, mostly because I don't think he'd add much to the league on the pitch. But previous reports had said he'd come to MLS on the cheap. Sorry, but a league max salary ain't cheap, by my way of looking at it. I simply cannot imagine DC United signing Gascoigne through next season at such a salary. Something would have to give considering the salaries that Etcheverry, Pope and Moreno must be earning on this team already, and what guys like Olsen, Convey, Quranta and Rimando will be asking for the next time their contracts come up for renegotiation.

Etch, at least is probably retiring, which would free up some money. If one of the Pope/Olsen/Convey/Quaranta bolts overseas, there's a little more room.

Not that I consider Gazza the best use of money either, mind you.

[superdave]

Originally posted by Minnman
I've been mildly against the Gazza signing to this point, mostly because I don't think he'd add much to the league on the pitch. But previous reports had said he'd come to MLS on the cheap. Sorry, but a league max salary ain't cheap, by my way of looking at it. I simply cannot imagine DC United signing Gascoigne through next season at such a salary. Something would have to give considering the salaries that Etcheverry, Pope and Moreno must be earning on this team already, and what guys like Olsen, Convey, Quranta and Rimando will be asking for the next time their contracts come up for renegotiation.
Are you against it as an MLS fan, or a DC fan?

If you're against it as an MLS fan, I'm going to assume that the league is going to make up that quarter mil on increased TV rights fees for England. A few times over. So financially, it makes sense for MLS.

If you're against it as a DC fan, well, then your ire should be directed toward Ray and DC's GM, who are mismanaging the salary cap. Just like a Philadelphia fan taking a position on the Scott Rolen trade.

[todda74]

260,000 dollars is cheap for a player like Gazza in the world of soccer. Yes it is the max salary in MLS but it's all relative. Hopefully they could make up that amount of money through attendance and tv.
And I agree with those who would be disapointed if it suddenly falls through now.

[nowhere]

Originally posted by superdave

Are you against it as an MLS fan, or a DC fan?

If you're against it as an MLS fan, I'm going to assume that the league is going to make up that quarter mil on increased TV rights fees for England. A few times over. So financially, it makes sense for MLS.

If you're against it as a DC fan, well, then your ire should be directed toward Ray and DC's GM, who are mismanaging the salary cap. Just like a Philadelphia fan taking a position on the Scott Rolen trade.
Good points. But I'd like to also add that I don't understand how DC fans can be against it. The way we're playing now I don't know how he could make us worse.

Signature - I'm a cheap bastard

[Topo]

Oh my Gazza!

Please, don't mortgage our team for league maximum salary.

This isn't a deal for league maximum.

Give him the $100K that represents Mike "I'm not going to play this year but I want to get paid anyway" Amman represents in our salary cap, but not league maximum.

Argh.

That means that we would have to lose a high-priced player next year to keep Gazza. Of course, our high-priced players haven't looked that good this year.

Of course, neither have our low-priced players or medium-priced players.

[Minnman]

Originally posted by superdave

Are you against it as an MLS fan, or a DC fan?

If you're against it as an MLS fan, I'm going to assume that the league is going to make up that quarter mil on increased TV rights fees for England. A few times over. So financially, it makes sense for MLS.

If you're against it as a DC fan, well, then your ire should be directed toward Ray and DC's GM, who are mismanaging the salary cap. Just like a Philadelphia fan taking a position on the Scott Rolen trade.

Dave:

Probably more from DC's perspective (I'm not really a fan of United).

I also don't quite buy the notion that MLS will rake in millions in English TV rights. Could be, I suppose. But check out the Channel 5 website sometime:

http://www.channel5.co.uk/

Click on Sports and what do you see? Tabs for the NHL, MLB and NFL, that's what. No mention of MLS whatsoever. To find out what MLS match is on you need to go to What's On.

Maybe there is this pent up demand for MLS coverage in England but, frankly, I have a hard time believing it. And, frankly, I've never heard anything about MLS selling overseas broadcast rights for any meaningful amount of money.

[todda74]

Originally posted by nowhere

Good points. But I'd like to also add that I don't understand how DC fans can be against it. The way we're playing now I don't know how he could make us worse.


Exactly, we can't get any worse.

[Pyro]

I think that it is pretty obvious that the League/DCU is waiting until the All Star/Break Focus to make an announcement.

Where is the All Star Game again? Oh, how convenient!

[striker]

Wasn't Gazza offered something like $300,000 to play in a couple of matches in Australia earlier this year or late last year? Somehow I seem to remember something like that. $250,000 per year is dirt cheap for someone of Gazza's reputation.

[Viking64]

Originally posted by striker
Wasn't Gazza offered something like $300,000 to play in a couple of matches in Australia earlier this year or late last year? Somehow I seem to remember something like that. $250,000 per year is dirt cheap for someone of Gazza's reputation.

funny you should mention reputation. As in repute.

But, I think he'll sign and I think that's good. I happen to think that he'll find out what Lothar found out...players in the US have little regard for you when you step on the field. A 23 year old Ryan Suarez doesn't care who you are. If you think you can be a drunk fat bas%tard and play in MLS you have no clue.

It will work out one of two ways.

One, he'll play well and contribute, and tell the world that MLS isn't the Premiership, but it's good for seven years old with no reserve system.

Or two, he'll get chewed up and spit out, blame MLS for being too low a quality when actually he's too far gone to compete and the game in MLS doesn't fit his style, and MLS will be out a grand total of 350,000 dollars, cheap compared to so many other wash-outs.

It's not like DC is going to ruin team chemistry. From what I've seen they have none.

[superdave]

Originally posted by Minnman
And, frankly, I've never heard anything about MLS selling overseas broadcast rights for any meaningful amount of money.
Didn't Lothar pay for himself in this way?

[Sachin]

Originally posted by superdave

Didn't Lothar pay for himself in this way?

Yes. Channel 5 or someone else in England will pick up DC United matches. They probably will get higher ratings over there than they do on Comcast.

And I'm sure some idiot over there will try to start a movement to call up Lazo Alavanja for the Engerland side. ;)

Sachin

[sydtheeagle]

On the other hand, isn't sending Gazza home a wonderful opportunity for all you lot to poke us Euro-snobs in the eye? I mean, we get endless crap when we point out that the MLS can't be that good if it still needs to resort to signing over-the-hill, 35 year old Brits, so maybe now this is your time to say "we've grown up. We've had a close look and we've realised that this is no longer the sort of player we need to make our league successful." Gazza would be nothing more than a one night stand for you. A quick orgasm if you're lucky, followed by fifteen months of wondering why you did it the next morning.

[BallStateMiddie]

Originally posted by Sachin

And I'm sure some idiot over there will try to start a movement to call up Lazo Alavanja for the Engerland side. ;)
That's pretty funny. I agree with the guy who said that after all this buildup it'll be a letdown if he doesn't sign. Also, just a point of interest as far as the salary goes. Remember that he'll also have all the outside incomes that MLS sets up for its big-name players to supplement income. Not that it's necessarily going to be a further drain on MLS, just thought it was worth noting.

[wu-tang beez]

Originally posted by superdave

Didn't Lothar pay for himself in this way?

I doubt the Anglophiles will ever give us credit for our league and Nats. Increased viewership won't mean more dollars for the league since ESPN International shows the games anyway. Looks like the league pulled a washington trick dating back to the Bull Moose party, a filibuster. Whatever works. Now lets focus on bringing in younger more deserving players. Overpaying has been stars crippled the NASL. We don't need bad guys like Fat Boy Blunder ruining our league.

[Lawmill]

Wasn't Gazza offered something like $300,000 to play in a couple of matches in Australia earlier this year or late last year? Somehow I seem to remember something like that. $250,000 per year is dirt cheap for someone of Gazza's reputation.
For some reason, I'm thinking that this was Cantona???