Two things I noted when rereading the Goff article: "Flynn could end up retaining ties in an advisory role, one person added." and "The Chicago-based federation was in financial dire straits when Flynn accepted the job in June 2000. The USSF now sits on a $150 million reserve." The first is something to keep an eye on - Flynn's continuing connection, if any. The second is really what bothers me, although it would take more time than I have to fully spell out why. Suffice it to say, I have no objection to financial success, though I would certainly appreciate more transparency. My main objection is that much of that money should have been passed through, rather than accumulated. Yes, you need a rainy day fund, yes, you need a reserve to properly host the 2026 World Cup, etc. But I feel the federation's mandate is to grow, develop and support the game of soccer - boys and girls, men and women - at all levels, not just at the top. Club soccer is expensive, a barrier to entry for some, but the money that does flow hasn't seemed to address that fact. I/we tend to focus on the national teams and our elite players, but while the federation should (for example) have a comfortable, cooperative relationship with MLS, that relationship should not be a too-cozy one, with MLS dictating terms. Gulati's reign - and I wonder about his current connections, to his successor, etc - with his conflicts of interest, the primacy of SUM's influence, etc - left a bad taste in my mouth. I had hoped for more substantial changes, at least a breath of fresh air, but that's not what we got. Very frustrating ... https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...e-dan-flynn-step-down/?utm_term=.1395f0f2a414
Thanks for highlighting this. I didn't realize the pot was that big now. Plenty of funds to hire a top US manager.
It is a chance for a new direction. But seeing how the USSF election (and FIFA) turned out, some sort of deputy dog will replace him and nothing much will change.
Hi folks, I've just removed some references to conspiracy theories because they were starting to derail the discussion.
A part of what makes this story a big deal is that this changeover happens so rarely. Flynn is only the ninth person in the 105-year history of the USSF to hold this position. In contrast, there have been 30 presidents of the USSF in that same time period.
UCLA law professor Steve Bank on US Soccer and the Berhalters 1/2: With the separate rumors that Jay Berhalter could be a candidate for Dan Flynn's position as Secretary-General and his brother Gregg could be a candidate for USMNT head coach, it's useful to consider the potential implications, if any, under USSF's conflicts of interest policy— Steven Bank (@ProfBank) October 25, 2018 According to the USSF Conflicts of Interest policy, individuals are warned to stay away from actions that would result in or create the appearance of granting preferential treatment to some person pic.twitter.com/GOaWgUrNb9— Steven Bank (@ProfBank) October 25, 2018 In the event of a potential conflict, the person must notify the board of the conflict pic.twitter.com/Yy0gd9Vx3L— Steven Bank (@ProfBank) October 25, 2018 Note that a conflict does not mean that an action is barred. Nevertheless, the conflicted person is directed to abstain from participating in the approval or deliberations regarding a decision or action to the extent of that person's conflict pic.twitter.com/iQ3MM3LBwX— Steven Bank (@ProfBank) October 25, 2018 So, what does this mean for the Berhalters? Because Jay, if chosen as Sec-Gen, would be Earnie Stewart's supervisor based on descriptions of the general manager position, he would be in a position to affect Stewart's reviews of Gregg. That could create the appearance of conflict— Steven Bank (@ProfBank) October 25, 2018
UCLA law professor Steve Bank on US Soccer and the Berhalters 2/2: In theory, even if Jay is named after Gregg is chosen, Jay could influence Gregg's retention, which is the same as his initial hire. So, to avoid the perception of conflict, best practice would suggest that Jay should abstain from oversight of Earnie.— Steven Bank (@ProfBank) October 25, 2018 Perhaps they could cabin that abstention to only cover the evaluation of Earnie's performance in selecting and overseeing the coach, so that Jay could still oversee Earnie's performance in other aspects of his job, but a hard review elsewhere could be viewed as retribution— Steven Bank (@ProfBank) October 25, 2018 This leads to the conclusion that it is hard to conceive of a scenario where Jay supervised Earnie, who supervised Gregg, and that would not create the appearance of a conflict for Jay. Cordeiro could directly supervise Earnie, but that would re-create the Sunil org chart— Steven Bank (@ProfBank) October 25, 2018 A conflicts of interest policy is required under New York's Not-for-Profit Corporations statute, which is the statute under which USSF was formed.— Steven Bank (@ProfBank) October 25, 2018
Jay would have to recuse himself from decisions regarding Greg, clearly, and the broader structure in place would have to protect Earnie from reprisals. There could also be contact provisions stipulating specific circumstances where Greg can be fired. It’s tricky but under the previous structure, as far as I can tell there would have been no protection. That said, I actually think both would be good at the jobs. But what do I know? I just want to be done with waiting...
Thank God that Klinsmann wasn't given that money to spend. Now it will be Earnie's job to transform youth development in this country. I'm not sure you can say SUM has harmed the USSF. It's done a much better job of selling TV rights than IMG ever did. Surely that's part of the reason for the surplus. And whatever you think of MLS and SUM, whether they have had a good or bad influence on the USMNT, soccer in this country is pretty healthy at the moment, especially at youth level. Earnie and co. have to work out the best way to exploit the USA's potential and $150 million sitting around in loose change won't do any harm.