Ought MLS Address the Sounders' Club World Cup Remuneration Grievance?

A Hot Potato Game of Football and Finances

The footballers have caused a stir. The nitpickers might stop the argument right there, pointing fingers at the American soccer players for not capping their earnings at a million bucks per tournament and instead opting for a 50/50 split. They might say the union should have seen this coming, acting like a soothsayer.

But let's consider another view. I'm here to present it, and you can decide what's right.

Read More: Sounders' Club World Cup Payout Protest

The fuss is about a potential windfall for Major League Soccer (MLS) teams participating in the FIFA Men's Club World Cup, kicking off this month. In a shocking announcement, FIFA revealed a whopping $1 billion prize pot for the 32 teams - a guaranteed $525 million for participation, and another $475 million based on performance. That means the three CWC teams from MLS - the Sounders, LAFC, and Inter Miami - will walk away with $9.55 million each, but here's the catch: the players' cut maxes out at $1 million. So, it's a pretty lopsided 90-10 split in favor of the owners, regardless of the final results.

The Sounders aren't too pleased about this arrangement. In a bold move before their match against Minnesota, players wore T-shirts emblazoned with "Ca$h Grab" and "Fair Share Now." They argue that the stipulation in the 2021 MLS collective bargaining agreement that caps MLS players' pay at $1 million for "performance and/or participation in a compulsory tournament or noncompulsory tournament" is outdated. The players think nobody could have anticipated the $1 billion prize pool from this Club World Cup – the tournament didn't even have a place on the owners' radar until the most recent CBA was ratified.

But is a contract a contract even when it seems unfair? I'm reminded of Scottie Pippen, a basketball legend who signed a long-term deal despite being one of the top players in his league. He missed out on more lucrative offers by banking on job security, but it's a different scenario with the Sounders and the Club World Cup. It's like Pippen suddenly developed the ability to dunk from half court, causing ticket prices and ratings to skyrocket – something nobody could have dreamed of when negotiating his contract.

Adrian Hanauer, owner of the Sounders, might be feeling betrayed by his players' public protest. He likely saw it as a surprise attack. But berating the team might not be the best look for an owner with a net worth that outweighs the players' combined.

The players had raised the issue of unfair pay before, to little avail. Maybe they should have asked for a percentage instead of a cap, thereby avoiding all the trouble. Anticipating the future and being thoughtful before signing the dotted line seems like a solid strategy.

The MLS isn't obligated to make any adjustments to the pay structure. But should they? It's your call.

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Enrichment Insights:

The dispute between the MLS and the MLSPA over the payout for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup continues, with players demanding a Fair Share Now.
The current offer from MLS, a $1 million share and 20% of bonuses, has been called disrespectful and below global standards by the MLSPA.
The MLSPA is pressing for a $4 million share and 35-40% of bonuses instead.
As the tournament approaches, it remains unclear if a deal will be reached between the MLS and the MLSPA.

The Seattle-based sports scene has another controversy brewing, as the Major League Soccer (MLS) team, Seattle Sounders, are demanding a fairer share of the FIFA Men's Club World Cup prize pot, similar to the Seattle Kraken potentially making coaching changes in the sports world.
In a bold move, the Sounders' players are rallying for a larger slice of the $1 billion prize pool, comparing their struggle to that of basketball legend Scottie Pippen who signed a deal without anticipating a sudden surge in his market value.
The Sounders' owner, Adrian Hanauer, may find himself in a tricky situation as he weighs his response to the players' public protest, reminiscent of the Mariners' Rodríguez, who faced tough times off the field but continued to deliver on it, much like the Sounders players pushing for fairer treatment in the face of adversity.