Anyway, the NWSL is looking into it: I asked #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman about the post concerning Mykiaa Minniss's experience with the KC Current from her mother (here: https://t.co/4ISYCD1jpP).NWSLPA is looking into this report as well. pic.twitter.com/FLOeG3ddBH— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) April 1, 2023
And here is Berman's statement again in video as well as Porter's: Here is #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman and KC Current HC Matt Potter addressing the Mykiaa Minniss report.#KCBABY pic.twitter.com/abF6RUYiEc— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) April 1, 2023
Good to see being addressed. Likely not the only situation league wide as it seems no structure was implemented for the introduction into the league for those invited to attend? With her nhl background where the league uses preseason; amateur try out contracts, etc. She should have known to look into this before the draft. And she did not avoid or sidestep which is positive.
Reading some of the responses, as the OP, I wanted to clarify a few things. 1. Players don't have a right to make teams 2. Being drafted should confer rights that NOT being drafted doesn't 3. Jordyn Listro Hurts my heart reading this, and brings back terrible memories. Had a very similar experience at this club… happy to be home in Orlando now 💜🫶🏻!— Jordyn (Listro) DiMarco (@jordynlistro5) April 1, 2023 4. It would be interesting to know if the any other KC draft pick this year had to pay for flights etc 5. The player in question was a starter on a final 4 team and a U-20 international. SHe has all the tools to be a good player in the NWSL. 6. This has nothing to do with amateur tryout contracts. If it did, resolution would be as simple as looking at the contract. 7. What does this say about the quality of scouting at KC? 8. Could the player have been better informed as to what being drafted meant? Sure, but who is responsible for providing that information? 9. Are players compelled to enter the draft if they want to play in the NWSL? Other than exposure, what is the benefit.
So there is a reason that nearly every other pro league (other than fringe pro sports league like wiffleball or frisbee) uses the preseason contracts. The contracts give guidance and all parties know their obligations. I don't think anyone is implying a guaranteed spot even to those currently contracted via SPA where they have remedies afforded in the SPA. You seem to be lazer focused in just the draftees. The leagues are filled with those drafted and undrafted; aergo invited, including nwsl. All parties need to have clear guidance as it seems there isn't any. And generally those drafted in the preseason contracts are given a higher stipend, etc.
We are having a discussion. You keep talking about contracts. What contracts? The issue IS the draftees because that is who we are talking about. You keep talking about UDFAs and others who are not at all relevant in this case. Your last sentence raises another very relevant point about the NWSL and its players. Lets say it is an agents responsibility to help a player understand the financial nuances of how the league works. Who pays the agent? it its say 10% ( i have no idea if that is a reasonable estimate) , on 35k per, that is not very much. Especially when the player has zero leverage but to sign the standard league contract for min amount.Why has no one said, as per the tryout contract that MM signed, KC are in full compliance? PS. You say I clearly have no idea. Not sure what you base that on or is it just because i have a different PoV to you?
I would say that she does not "have all the tools to be a good player in the NWSL" because she is lacking in emotional maturity and mental toughness. This is likely the first time in her life she has been cut. It happens every day to players from U6 to professional. She had her mom send out a tweet trashing the organization (fairly or not) publicly. Kansas City had a plethora of draft picks this year. So many that they drafted two goalkeepers in the same draft. So I would not knock KC's scouting necessarily. They used their picks and got a first hand look at the talent. But, with their off-season signings it was always going to be a tough club to make this season. Again, basic math skills would have informed these draft picks that KC was going to be tough to make. As for whether players are required to enter the draft, essentially yes if you are 18. Otherwise a Michelle Cooper, for example, could not enter the draft an then go pick her team. Cat Macario never entered the draft and went overseas. Now if she decides to come back to the NWSL, I have no idea who they would determine which team would get her rights (I suspect it would be similar to Jaedyn Shaw or Moultrie's situations).
is this true? why do NFL draft picks hold out? Why do MLB players drafted out of HS sign contracts BEFORE going to camp? Higher stipend? This player recieved none. Sorry, I dont see your point at all. Im trying to
There are a lot of assumptions in your first para based on limited information. If you have any background on her to know this, then please share. If the draft is just a free exclusive tryout, then player should know this. The stuff about basic math skills is an unnecessary dig at a players intelligence. No need. No other draft I am aware of confers a free look at the players. A look, of course, but free?
Haha the clearly have no idea was an auto that i removed as it is harsh. You jumped the gun. This entire blog is a discussion. It seems that clear instruction is needed. A preseason camp contract provides. The League has contracts already ie the SPA and the CBA. Someone with another pro league background that uses them would have/ should have known that imho.
I only use stipend because that is what applies here. MLB, WNBA, NBA, NHL, NFL pay compensation ($$$) tiers to draftees and non draftees in preseason/try out camps in accordance with their contracts; in addition to housing, food, travel, insurance, etc.
Stipend applies only because draftees are not given contracts. Feels like we are discussing and/or comparing different things. Just seems like this is an example of the NWSL players union having no leverage at all.
We agree on that. A more open and transparent process would be a step in the right direction. The NWSL does not have the requisite pieces to have a draft like some other leagues without some modifications. Eg. Why not have a combine where teams can come and see players? Obviously players can enter the draft without attending. How about having a slotted payout based on where drafted that guarantees the draftee X dollars whether they make the team or not? It seems like the owners/league want all of the financial flexibility without any impact of making poor scouting/draft decisions and the non NT players have zero leverage. weh have several high profile, wealthy owners. They can afford it.
It seems like this Commissioner has recognized that this is an area for much improvement. As I noted, she did not avoid or sidestep. And apparently did have a discussion as promised. All positive. As this is now in the forefront, it will likely get addressed sooner than later. ________ Would you be this outspoken if the player was not a draftee? You keep focusing only on the Draftees. Protect them all. That is what the other leagues do for all preseason invitees. Players coming in from international teams, draftees, undrafted. Just to clarify, in case it was not clear, the preseason agreements are not the final agreement if rostered. And preseason agreements get into if this happens then that. for instance, if drafted and not rostered then entitled to this and that. It protects everyone while the process plays out. And then it becomes part of any Professional Services Contract or SPA. Do the others deserve less protection? This is an employment environment, now. Player who took an unusual route [naia not ncaa] and went undrafted and invited to Reign preseason. Nwsl rookie of that year. Other player drafted 2022 and did not make team.
I can only speak on specifics. If I felt any player was not protected, i would like to think yes. This is not about what route a player uses to make a teams. At no point have I said other players dont deserve protection. Its about whether being drafted gives a player any benefit over others. You talk about preseason agreements, but it sounds like these are baked in to the draft process. Something a player has to accept to enter the draft. I would love to know what percentage of rookies received more than league minimum? Again...repeat...this is not about who makes the team. Please stop referring to that. Its about the rights a drafted player has vs others.
The preseason or tryout or training camp contracts referenced are used in other professional leagues. Unless changed recently, they are independent of the draft. Only players invited to preseason get them including draftees. I hope that clarifies.
My first paragraph is clear. She is 22 years old and her mom sent out a tweet trashing the team who cut her (fairly or not). That is not the actions of a mature person with the emotional maturity to handle a cut throat competitive environment. The NWSL draft is just like the NFL and NBA draft. Anyone who follows professional sports in the US knows how it works. She even told her mom she was afraid that she was going to get cut when she got the text for a meeting with the coach. So she knew the situation was not a guarantee. Tell me what the NBA, WNBA or NFL does for their draft picks in preseason camp? I am not interested in the hold out first round draft pick who won't report until he signs. Show me what the 6th round NFL pick gets or the 2nd round NBA pick gets during preseason before they find out if they make the team? Do you follow other pro sports in the US? Minnis was picked with the second to last pick of the third round of a four round draft. KC had 8 draft picks in the 4 rounds. She was the 5th of the 8th KC Picks. Three of the 8 got cut (two fourth rounders and Minnis in the late third).
it really doesn't. It just confirms my original thought that the draft is just an invitation to pre season in a nicer package.
Just addressing your question, as an FYI, the other leagues NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL and MLB (although they have extensive farm system) give all the preseason attendees, including draft picks, a training camp contract that provides a tier compensation package, benefits, housing, insurance, etc. As an FYI.
Actually its not clear because you seem to blame the 22 yr old. Like you know she asked her mother to write it. The NWSL draft is just like the NFL and NBA draft. This is clearly false. Both leagues spend huge money on scouting and value picks. NFL gives signing bonuses. When you say they are similar it make me wonder if you follow the sports you are quoting. A draft in those sports confers the rights to negotiate with a player on a contract Not the right to a free tryout. They dont say hey, come to preseason on your own dime so we can have a look and we will let you know. im not saying the NWSL cant do that. Clearly they can. Im saying its BS. you think its ok. we disagree. All good.
I imagine teams treat all of it differently as there are no guidelines. But if the league oversees, there should be. Which is exactly what the Commissioner who has an NHL background noted.
in most cases the contract they sign before attending any organized team activities stipulates the terms under which they get paid - one of which will be pre season attendance. You post implies it is a separate agreement covering pre season only.
If the league oversees? All contracts are WITH the league. So how can there be no guidelines or set policies? Another point that renders @ytrs point about the draft etc being the same as NFL, NBA etc moot.
I am not sure how to explain it as you are likely thinking nfl. So to use this as an example, the preseason contract is independent; a side agreement. They are all parts to a bigger contract. So if drafted and then preseason, and after depends on where if signed to the full roster vs practice vs special circumstances, etc. Obviously an undrafted would not get the drafted agreement. But would get the preseason and then they continue as they get signed, etc.