[edwardgr]

Sounders Buck Expansion Trend

I thought this article was an interesting read, particularly this

As important was the infrastructure that greeted these players. They have their own training facility with grass and turf fields. Vagenas said one of the little things that doesn't seem like much, but has resonated with players, is that the team has lunch available every day for the players after training.

"Small things like that you don't get with too many other franchises across this league," Vagenas said.

I was surprised by this statement because it makes the Sounders sound like the exception in this regard. To me that is just astonishing.

[jd6885]

that's nice. I remember a poster on soundersfc.com was laughed at when he suggested we raise money for players' lunch. I'm glad that the FO took it upon themselves to do this for them.

I wonder if this is against salary cap rules. If money that goes towards food doesn't count as part of the "salary" then what's to stop teams from offering multimillion dollar houses, cars, etc?

[DarthGreedo]

I'm about halfway through The Beckham Experiment as my turn at the Library finally came, and so far the most interesting aspect of the book are the cost cutting corners that MLS makes, so this kind of isn't suprising. Teams are almost forced to not provide these things as it provides a competitive advantage to the teams that DO supply them.

One benefit of the sounders box office success would be the finances to help them boost training, scouting, benefits to convince players to play here instead of somewhere else, and better travel options. This is stuff the salary cap doesn't have to be raised for. Hopefully MLS eases some of their restrictions on them.

[bright]

Originally Posted by jd6885

I wonder if this is against salary cap rules. If money that goes towards food doesn't count as part of the "salary" then what's to stop teams from offering multimillion dollar houses, cars, etc?

Interesting question. I seem to recall some players getting cars or apartments. Didn't Lothar Matthaus get a Manhattan condo?

[edwardgr]

Originally Posted by jd6885

I wonder if this is against salary cap rules. If money that goes towards food doesn't count as part of the "salary" then what's to stop teams from offering multimillion dollar houses, cars, etc?

Houses and cars are something tangible. Providing a meal during training is part of the training and conditioning of the player. I think it is easier to make an argument for team lunches than a Ferrari .

[WestSeattle]

I desperately need to read the Beckham Experiment. I have heard that the best parts aren't really about Beckham, but rather about how bargain-basement MLS is - and just how poor the conditions are for many of "bread and butter" players in the league.

News, that a sandwich and some soup after practice is considered a "delightful bonus" to the players, illustrates that point well. And yes ed, I too, am astounded by this.

In baseball, the daily per-diem for players is several hundred dollars a day. This is addition to salary of course and you get it even if you don't play in the game. This is just for meals, and doesn't include hotel, travel or other amenities that are provided free - and also doesn't include that all training rooms behind the dugout are also fully catered for every single game, both home and away.

The disparity is frightening, and probably illustrates how the player's union in MLS have some legitimate beefs to address this off-season.

[bright]

Originally Posted by bright

Interesting question. I seem to recall some players getting cars or apartments. Didn't Lothar Matthaus get a Manhattan condo?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/co...-Matthaus.html

He is being paid $500,000. The Metro-Stars are paying his $10,000a-month rent for an apartment in one of Donald Trump's glitzy skyscrapers and he drives a courtesy Mercedes.

[Ciscokid]

Originally Posted by WestSeattle

I desperately need to read the Beckham Experiment. I have heard that the best parts aren't really about Beckham, but rather about how bargain-basement MLS is - and just how poor the conditions are for many of "bread and butter" players in the league.

News, that a sandwich and some soup after practice is considered a "delightful bonus" to the players, illustrates that point well. And yes ed, I too, am astounded by this.

In baseball, the daily per-diem for players is several hundred dollars a day. This is addition to salary of course and you get it even if you don't play in the game. This is just for meals, and doesn't include hotel, travel or other amenities that are provided free - and also doesn't include that all training rooms behind the dugout are also fully catered for every single game, both home and away.

The disparity is frightening, and probably illustrates how the player's union in MLS have some legitimate beefs to address this off-season.

A great book that I recommend highly. The stories of the lousy hotels, $45 a day per diem...the MLS NOT allowing teams to treat their players better even if they want to because "it isn't fair." Truly mickey mouse at an unbelievable level. Forget the obstacle of getting quality players to play in a league that lacks a degree of quality in it's talent level...it's all the other stupid crap that will drive the Ljungbergs back to Europe.

Reading about Becks flipping out at this treatment and his insistence at having the team stay at the Waldorf in NY when playing the Red Bulls actually demonstrates where his value lies. His insistence that standards be raised because HE won't tolerate them could help to raise them for everyone. The notion that everyone must fly commercial remains absurd, but thanks in part to Beckham, teams can now charter 4 times a season. Maybe by catering to his standards, the league will be forced to raise them for everyone. God, one can only hope.

[jd6885]

I had no idea the league was so on the cheap. Maybe Becks isn't such a prima donna afterall.

I hope standards are raised soon. I can see why Becks and Ljungberg might want to go back to Europe...

[kamosa]

Let me second the recommendation of "The Beckham Experiment". A truely fascinating look at the league. It really put me in the corner of the players in their upcoming labor struggle. The league really needs to up quality of how they treat the bottom players in this league.