Wednesday, February 19, 1997
OPINION:
Labor struggle in fledgling league saps enthusiasm of fans
It is an unfortunate fate that Major League Soccer is bringing
onto itself as it gears up for its sophomore campaign, and it is
disappointing that America’s best hope for helping soccer find a
foothold as a large-market sport is becoming a self-destructive
venture.
As the league’s second season gets ready to kick off, 10 players
have seen fit to file a class-action suit against the league and
the U.S. Soccer Federation. The suit claims that MLS imposed
restraints on player salaries and movements that are illegal under
antitrust laws.
Just like that, these players have taken it upon themselves to
rip all of the charm out of this new league and shoot it in the
foot over a fight they may well lose.
This isn’t the sort of controversy that makes a sport notorious
and gives it a reputation, that, whether exciting or disgusting,
brings out the fans. This is the interminable conference room
debating that drags on, sapping the energy of the league and the
enthusiasm of the fans.
Just like that, instead of carrying themselves like the pioneers
of basketball and football, who accepted the sacrifices that would
come with trying to start a league, these players are equating
themselves with the greedy vagrants that have tainted our other
sports.
Look at baseball for a comparison. Look at the destructive labor
disagreement, look at the massive contracts and the way that they
have forever tainted our perception of the game. If people worry
about the state of America’s pastime because of symptoms like
these, imagine what they will do to a fledgling institution like
MLS.
This is being compounded by a complete lack of marketing and
publicity in the off-season. Sure, MLS got off to a rousing start
last year when it was all shiny and new, but now they have to try
and bring out the same numbers when the novelty has worn off and
the smell of a labor disagreement is clinging to the league worse
than a grass stain.
Did they make every effort to keep fans interested? Did they run
open practices or well-publicized exhibitions? No. Using the Galaxy
for an example, this inactivity is clear.
Since the end of the season, the team that drew astounding
numbers of fans as it finished as the runner up for the title did
absolutely nothing to build on their old successes. No publicity
campaigns or advertisements, no camps for kids, nothing. Whatever
efforts that they may have made were not publicized or sparsely
attended.
This is not the way to pull a league into the limelight. Now
that the second season is about to get underway, the feeling is not
one of anticipation built up over the months by fervent efforts to
build support, but rather a feeling of surprise that the league
that we haven’t heard about is emerging from its hibernation.
Even worse, it isn’t emerging with rousing pomp and circumstance
amid a rousing publicity campaign. MLS is starting its second
season under the dark cloud of a labor disagreement.
This is a time when this league needs to be defining itself in
positive terms, with quality play and interesting personalities.
Instead it is defining itself as an entity that can’t keep its
players or fans happy and interested.
Best of luck.
Shapiro is a third-year student and Daily Bruin staff
writer.