Comments on: Landon Donovan and that Elusive, (Illusive?) Second DP Slot

By: Nathanhj

Nathanhj — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 22:58:11 +0000

I liked Walsh’s article because it was the best analysis of this I’d seen, but I disagree with the scope of this arguement.

In principle I have nothing against his conclusion that the league should wait on a second DP slot, but I think in getting there he ignores a lot of things that the league can and should do that will address some of the issues supposedly addressed by a second DP slot.

First, raise the damn salary cap. $2.6 million? Are you kidding me? For 28 players? Raise that sucker to $4.5 or $5 million. This allows you to…

Second, increase the number of players on the roster from 28 to 32. You think teams like the Galaxy and NYRB couldn’t use 2-3 more quality players on the bench? Especially now with SuperLiga? More games, more injuries.

Thirds, increasing the roster size allows you to sdd two more International slots, one Senior, one Youth.

Fourth, raise the salaries of the developmental player to a minimum of $25K. DC lost a very promising defender to the USL because he’d make more than twice as much and play full time. When was the last time an NBA draft pick decided to turn down a contract offer for the D-League?

Once you’ve done all that you can sit back and see if there needs to be another DP slot. Just raising the salary cap goes a long way to dealing with the problem. I mean, do you make Christian Gomez a DP? He’s a league MVP, but is he worth Angel money? Probably not. But he’s worth more thatn $400K, that’s for sure.

It’s the fact that Walsh didn’t deal with these issues that bugs me, not his “go slow” approach, which I’m leaning towards agreeing with.

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:30:10 +0000

Well said Diane. Until the league does something about the lower paid players, it will be anything but “major league”.

But, I’d like to see a second DP spot and it NOT go to Donovan.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:42:03 +0000

MLS should not even THINK of anything else regarding players and salaries before it addresses the compensation of its lower paid players. The whole structure is a joke. If the so-called salary cap includes what is really a $400,000 “payroll cap” for DP’s, which can be augmented by whatever millions owners and other investors feel like tossing in, then there is no salary cap or policy. Just a payroll budget that only allows outside investment in limited instances. The league says it is being budget conscious and financially even handed, but spending outside money outside of the “rules” is allowed in every area, from infrastructure to advertising to non-playing staff, except on bottom rung player salaries. And how about a little transparency regarding the league’s new income from tv rights, sponsors, hiked ticket prices and a few extra shirts sold? Because I’ll only believe what they say they do and don’t have the money for when I see it — a stand the player’s union should take immediately.