Putting the Pay Scale in Perspective
By: Laurie | May 6th, 2007From the LA Times:
At his current salary, it would take Galaxy rookie Ty Harden, who has played every minute of every game this season, 367 years to match the amount his soon-to-arrive teammate David Beckham will earn in one year.
And also:
The league’s improved financial strength based on television contracts, jersey sponsorships and the like should allow MLS to correct matters, [players' union Executive Director] Foose said. “There’s no reason, as far as we can see, that they can’t deal with that, and sooner rather than later,” he said. “There clearly is enough revenue….
“You could bring all the developmental players to the senior minimum for not much more than $100,000 per team per year, or about $1.5 million in total.
“It’s eminently doable.”
‘Nuff said.
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Comments
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Even though I joke about a player’s strike, I’m serious about the league/owners/union’s responsibility for raising salaries so I’m glad to see the Foose quote.
It’s great that contrasting Beckham’s salary to the rest of the players in the league illustrates the sins of the pay structure, but after that it starts to distract from who’s responsible for it. Neither Beckham, or the next rung of MLS wage earners, are reaching into other player’s pockets for their salaries. The league, owners, and investors are the only ones that can redress the disparity and they should be held accountable if they don’t.
Does MLS or Galaxy need Beckham? Fair question. Could he have gotten more if he had signed elsewhere — close to twice as much from the two year contract Real Madrid had on the table, and possibly more if he had gone back to England where his peers are negotiating contracts for three times Beckham’s MLS salary as we speak. Is it right that anyone in any industry make that much money…in my opinion, not in this world. Are there many professional athletes in or out of MLS that would turn it down…haven’t heard of them yet but anything’s possible. MLS is paying Beckham what they are because they wanted him and there was enough other incentive for him to take the pay cut. They made the offer and he accepted it. Whether the offer was right or wrong is a fair question, but there’s no answer to it that changes the fact that the league owes all its players a decent wage.
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United States
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Diane, I didn’t include a lot of other quotes from the article, because after awhile it feels like plagiarism. But Foose also said that the player’s union doesn’t resent Beckham’s salary, or any of the other highly-paid players because they’re being paid what they’re worth.
The union’s concern (and mine too) is with the players on the low end of the scale.
My big hope is that Beckham will be able to deliver the revenues that everybody is hoping for, and then there will be no excuse not to pay the developmental players a semi-living wage.
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I had no doubt we would be meeting on the picket line! My son’s brilliant observation on the whole issue was that it’s great when a high tide raises all boats — IF none of them have sunk yet. From the mouths of babes…old babes but still.
(BTW, left you a CRITICAL question somewhere…at Bob’s place I think — there were Italian men and hay.)
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Diane, I know the video you’re referring to (a favorite of mine I refer to as “Brokeback Juventus” but can’t find your question! Is it still in your mind to repost here?
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It was in Bob’s report on the “who would you do” interviews with Chelsea players. Can’t BELIEVE I remembered that, possibly because I am still laughing and may have referenced it again once or twice. You posted the Brokeback Juventis clip there, probably as a thank you for the excellent investigative reporting, and here was my Q:
p.s. Laurie and Bob, can one of you email me a lengthy and detailed explanation of the Juventis clip? What does it all MEAN? I’m dazed and confused (but don’t forget who sent you the yam!).
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Ah. Yes. The true meaning.
I believe the true meaning of the Juventus photo shoot set to “Cotton-Eyed Joe” is: Do not think. Put your brain in neutral and enjoy the experience.
At least that’s what I took away from it. Bob and other males may have a different take.
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Hmmmmm. Will have to study with a larger group ; ) .
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The players shouldn’t have to have second jobs in order to pay their rent and buy food. It’s disgusting how the players are paid at the low end. These players are professional athletes and should be paid as such. $14,900 isn’t enough to live on in Los Angeles or anywhere in the US.
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