4/2/03: Moving On Up

You know, it strikes me that yesterday was actually a pretty big day for MLS. We get our first ever revenue generating TV contract, the Frisco stadium is essentially given the go-ahead, and we also get another contract with HDNet.

 

You're right Peledre.

"The FISD school board is the final “team player” to vote on the proposal and will consider the measure during a “special called” meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, April 2."

Two unanimous votes - Colin County and the City of Frisco. One vote left - tonight hopefully.

 

This week is totally about rolling into the season with as much good news as possible. I can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store

This is true even to the point that sponsors are still being revealed, when in previous seasons, new sponsors were announced at MLS Cup.

 

Does anyone else find this hilarious that VietNam and Iraq were scheduled to play each other?

Maybe not hilarious, but ironic...

 

Large day indeed.

 

Not that I'm a conspiracy theorist, but...

OK, how are they fitting him under the cap?

Pope - $270k
Moreno - $270k
Mathis - $200k
Howard - $200k
Guevara - $190k

That's 1.13 Million on 5 players, leaving less than 600k for the remaining 13 players on the first team?

Or an average of $44k a player?

Not likely.

 

Yes possable, when you look at it that the rest of the roster is filled out with players like Leitch, Matteo, Jeff Moore, etc. and transitional internationals from Argentina on the cheap. Digimarino won't be making much either. same principle as DC during their glory years or Chicago year in and year out: build a strong base down the middle and fill out with average American role players.

 

Yes and no. The WC part of the big deal with Disney generated revenue, I believe. Maybe not directly for MLS, but for SUM.

 

i enjoyed this

 

This is one of those recurring questions that cries out for the need for a BigSoccer FAQ...

My recollection is that the WC games were given to The Mouse in exchange for MLS game air time. So, not only did MLS not get any money for the MLS games, but they are essentially paying to have MLS games shown.

Now, it may well be that SUM is getting much of the money (they spent on WC rights) back via sponsors/ads they can show during the MLS "time buy" but it feels like a stretch to me to say that The Mouse is paying for MLS rights.

And, there is a big difference between a network (FSW) agreeing to take on the risk of finding advertisers and SUM/MLS doing it.

 

Don't forget Jolley got his raise to at least 100K

 

More like $130k.

Richie Williams was making around $100k, but he renegotiated down.

Lisi and Zaidie are in the $45-50k range.

But I guess it is possible, they do have a bunch of nobody's on their roster.

 

Is it true the league pays for the Pro-40 players? What about the Developmental players? Metros got 4 Pro-40 players in their roster.

 

You misread my post. MLS had to buy the WC rights and produce the games all that jazz etc... so to earn any revenue, they had to spend a lot to get infrastructure in place. I meant in the way of a more standard pro sports TV contract, a network simply giving a league money for the rights to show games. MLS doesn't have to incur any expenses to see new revenue, they just have to play their games. Which is obviously much nicer than having to do all the production work/time buys/ad sales yourself. Generally, money from TV contracts is just pure gravy, because they don't need to spend any additional money to make money.

 

I must be drunk...

 

I'd thought I'd heard indications that Guevara might be making a bit more than that. And yes ABMOD and Jolley are theoretically making well above the minimum (100K level?).

But it's best not to think upon it too much upon it, because this line of questioning ultimately goes nowhere.

 

I'm under the impression that Guevara was a free transfer, leaving the $75k in allocation money to "expand" the salary cap.

Figure that in, and you're down to the Metros having about $80k-$90k to pay for two more players.

That said, when Guevara's salary goes up to maximum next year, and the allocation money no longer applies, the Metros will have salary problem of $150k or so. But Mathis will probably be gone, so that'll make up for that money and a bit more.

 

I thought is was pronounced "Dude".

 

No, according to the papers, Guevara is making just under $200k, but he is set to go to the maximum in 2004.

Jolley's new contract was said to pay $120k or thereabouts, but Williams went down, I've heard, to $75k.

Somebody on the Metros discussion worked up a roster with salaries that looks pretty good to me:

Full Roster Players (18)

1. Pope - $270K
2. Moreno - $270K
3. Howard - $230K
4. Mathis - $200K
5. Guevara - $190K
6. Jolley - $120K
7. Williams - $75K
8. Addo - $50K
9. Lisi - $40K
10. Grafer - $35K
11. Ziadie - $30K
12. Moore - $25K
13. Leitch - $25K
14. Regan - $25K
15. Glowienka - $25K
16. DiGiamarino - $30K
17. ???
18. ???


Cap Exempt (6)

1. Clark - P40
2. Magee - P40
3. Gaven - P40
4. LeBlanc - P40
5. Matteo - Developmental
6. Arena - Developmental

This total of $1.64 million doesn't include the $75k allocation. I don't think the numbers are exactly accurate, but even if three players make $10k more, and three make $5k more, that leaves $90k or so for the remaining two slots.

Argue with the numbers I gave if you want, but stop with the vague allegations of cheating.

 

Haig,

Arena isn't a DP, or at least not according to MLSnet.

The only DP is Matteo.

I think you are low on Lisi and Zaidie. For Ziadie to still be at $30k isn't right. Everyone gets a 5% raise every year.

He's closer to $40k with Lisi closer to $50k.

Either way, it leaves the Metros with 2 open roster spots and very, very little to no money to use.