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San Jose Owner Lew Wolff Discourages Potential MLS Strike
The owner doesn't think a strike will help anybody.
Mar 17, 2010 7:47:00 PM
By Zac Lee Rigg
San Jose Earthquakes owner Lew Wolff became the third owner to speak publicly about the Major League Soccer collective bargaining agreement this morning. Earlier this week Los Angeles Galaxy's Tim Leiweke and Seattle Sounders FC's Joe Roth put their views on the public record.
Wolff released a lengthy statement tackling the possibility of a strike and urging the MLS Players Union not to follow that path.
"We are less than two weeks from the start of Major League Soccer's 15th season," the statement read. "Sadly, the players and their representatives say they will strike unless a new collective bargaining agreement is reached by the March 25 season opener. Being a relatively new MLS owner, I truly enjoy and appreciate our players, but I believe a strike would not be in the players, fans and owners best interests.
"All North American sports leagues are facing financial issues due to the economy. MLS is still a young league that is not a fully established yet. To lose the benefits that have been gained to date and to risk League stability is, in my opinion, a risk that the players and their unions need to fully consider."
Reports emerged last week that the players had voted to authorize a strike should a new CBA not be reached by the season opener. Currently, player representatives are congregating in Washington to discuss options.
Talks continue, and Wolff hopes they will reach a satisfactory end for both parties.
"I believe both sides should continue negotiations without a strike," the (edited) statement continued. "I cannot predict the negative impact of a strike on the players, fans or owners, but I am very confident that any stoppage will do more harm to all parties, especially the players, than any perceived benefits of a strike.
"A strike is up to the players. To assume that a strike will achieve some elements that are not being achieved by the current negotiation is a risk that I am hopeful the players and their representatives will carefully evaluate. I know some concessions have been made, but if the adjustments are not enough for the players, a strike will not, in my estimation, be the best way to achieve whatever is desired."
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Wolff released a lengthy statement tackling the possibility of a strike and urging the MLS Players Union not to follow that path.
"We are less than two weeks from the start of Major League Soccer's 15th season," the statement read. "Sadly, the players and their representatives say they will strike unless a new collective bargaining agreement is reached by the March 25 season opener. Being a relatively new MLS owner, I truly enjoy and appreciate our players, but I believe a strike would not be in the players, fans and owners best interests.
"All North American sports leagues are facing financial issues due to the economy. MLS is still a young league that is not a fully established yet. To lose the benefits that have been gained to date and to risk League stability is, in my opinion, a risk that the players and their unions need to fully consider."
Reports emerged last week that the players had voted to authorize a strike should a new CBA not be reached by the season opener. Currently, player representatives are congregating in Washington to discuss options.
Talks continue, and Wolff hopes they will reach a satisfactory end for both parties.
"I believe both sides should continue negotiations without a strike," the (edited) statement continued. "I cannot predict the negative impact of a strike on the players, fans or owners, but I am very confident that any stoppage will do more harm to all parties, especially the players, than any perceived benefits of a strike.
"A strike is up to the players. To assume that a strike will achieve some elements that are not being achieved by the current negotiation is a risk that I am hopeful the players and their representatives will carefully evaluate. I know some concessions have been made, but if the adjustments are not enough for the players, a strike will not, in my estimation, be the best way to achieve whatever is desired."
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
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