The MLS Players Union wants FIFA to rule on Major League Soccer contracts, and address what they see as a failure to comply with international rules. They've enlisted the help of the powerful players organization FIFPro in an attempt to force the governing body's hand. They appear to have the high ground on the matter, and I've yet to find anyone (save for the league itself) who believes that MLS contracts meet FIFA standards or adhere to the spirit of the rules as they exist.


I'm wondering, though, if we've really thought through a potential rebuking of MLS by FIFA?


FIFA, before FIFPro's strongly worded announcement that they would ask for a review of MLS contract policies, asserted that they would not get involved in the American labor agreement process. It was a blow to the players' leverage, of course, and unless the bosses in Zurich reverse themselves, effectively ends any chance the Union has of forcing MLS to make changes to the standard contract. The players may continue to push for guaranteed deals, but I can't see MLS relenting on that point without external pressure; perhaps it would serve the players better to move on to other concerns.


But what if FIFA had ruled that MLS contracts violated their policies? What would it take for the league to seriously considered alterations? And if they were forced to guarantee all contracts for the duration of the season, how would that affect their ability to do business?


Wild speculation has me wondering if that last question is at the heart of FIFA "hands off" decision; if Garber and Co. informed Blatter and Co. that guaranteeing contracts would seriously damage MLS on a level that might eventually lead to failure, than FIFA's decision was a pragmatic one. Despite the struggle of soccer to "break through" in the United States, the country remains a golden goose for football's governing body; another failed attempt (worse case scenario, but bear with me) at a professional league here would make it almost impossible for the World Cup to return. No World Cup means no 80,000+ stadiums packed with fans, it means no massive TV contract domestically, it means no leveraging of an already burgeoning American soccer fan base into the money producing machine everyone knows it can be.


The "right" thing for FIFA to do is to declare MLS in violation of the rules if in fact they are (leaving that to sharper legal minds). The "right" thing is for the players to get all of the rights their brethren receive around the world, no matter the handicap it might create for the game here. Unfortunately, the "right" thing might not be the "best" thing when it comes to the business of soccer in the United States; for all of the progress made, MLS is still always few poor seasons away from going under, and the heavier financial burden of guaranteed contracts could bring the abyss ever closer.


If teams are forced to pay players for the entire season no matter their roster status, how many are likely to hold on to players for no other reason than they can't justify the dead money? Roster rules don't allow for teams to add players and not drop others at the same time; if Player A is no long a fit, hasn't cut it, or suddenly become ineffective before July 1st (the current contract termination deadline), MLS teams would be forced to eat his salary if they chose to replace him. Needless to say that salary cap rules would need revamping as well, because clubs that did choose to drop players while adding others would still have the departed player's salary on their books. Would that count against the cap, or would dropped players who were guaranteed pay for the season be exempted?


Fixable problems, sure, but problems nonetheless. The cheapest of teams might find it in their best interest financially to hold on to ineffective players rather than add salary in the middle of the season. With overall quality of play an issue as it is, the way clubs handle a potential addition to their salary burden might only exasperate the problem.


This is a pragmatic view of the situation. By most evidence, MLS is in violation of FIFA guidelines, and the players are right to question their contracts. In a perfect world, one in which MLS is healthy to the point of supreme comfort, I'd back the players all the way. But while my heart is telling me the situation is unfair, at least by the letter of the law, my head tells me the league isn't ready for the change they want.