The statement by the Major League Soccer Players’ Association that its players are unhappy about their share of any potential SuperLiga prize money comes under the scrutiny of Frank Dell’Apa. He points out that MLS is under no legal obligation to give the players a share of the much-touted $1 million prize money, because Superliga is not covered by the current collective bargaining agreement. On the other hand, the matter “could have been handled differently.”
MLS has determined that any MLS team winning SuperLiga will share just $150,000 of the prize money among its players. This figure seemed puny last year when media reported that 2007 winner Pachuca gave the whole $1 million pot to its players, but Dell’Apa quotes “an MLS source” as saying this figure was in fact $300,000. The MLSPA insists it was the whole million, but has no official confirmation. MLS wouldn’t officially comment for the article, but apparently reasons that a competition that can be won in five games shouldn’t reward players with conspicuously more cash than they’d get for winning MLS Cup over 34 games.
But MLSPA Director Bob Foose says “these are hard games for the players and they feel the public is being misled. The league is saying it’s a $1 million tournament, and it’s not, for the MLS players.” Meanwhile, Houston’s players are awaiting arbitration after MLS blocked a deal the players reached with team owner AEG to give them a 50 per cent share of the potential prize money. “Until the Dynamo’s grievance is ruled on, though,” writes Dell’Apa, “MLS players are going to have to settle for the current terms.”