Aw, darn. I have to go back and play for Everton?
In the daily soap opera that is the MLS labor problems, the rhetoric has gotten more harsh each day. Honestly, the feeling around here is that a strike is the most likely outcome.
And that’s just fine to Landon Donovan, apparently. Even though he’s one of the player reps involved in the negotiations.
Donovan said he definitely wants to return to Everton if a strike happens and that he’ll work to make it happen.
Now, I’ve been a Donovan hater for a long time (ever since his high school days in Redlands, Calif.), but he truly won me over the past year. He’s become a model professional footballer, and he’s exorcised many of the demons of his past in my eyes. But doesn’t this seem like a little conflict of interest? No, a BIG conflict of interest?
“I think we’ve all been very clear about the possibility that I could go back if something happens. It’s crossing that bridge when we get to it, right now.”
We all knew there was a possibility this could happen, but unlike every other player rep, he actually has a vested interest in a strike happening. He admits the EPL is a better challenge for him than MLS. He loves playing at Everton. He’s in great form less than 90 days before the World Cup begins. As we’ve said before, why the hell would he want to stay in L.A.?
This way, he’s not Beckham. He’s fulfilled his promise to return, and he gets to throw up his hands and say, “hey, I did what I had to do.”
But there has to be a tiny little Lando on his shoulder saying, “Dude, push for the strike. Then we can head back to the love in Everton for the run in.”
I’m trying to think Landon will play it straight. And to be fair, the players are totally in favor of a strike without his support. But he’s definitely in a sweetheart position here.
Well played, sir. Well played indeed.
do they require a unanimous vote to strike? He could be the lone voice in the room encouraging a strike, although from what I’ve read, they’re not playing this weekend.
Can he just go back? I think loan deals can be struck outside the transfer window, but want to clarify. And is MLS playing during the Cup?
Doesn’t have to be unanimous, and the players already voted something like 240 to 2 to strike if a new deal isn’t in place before the first game of the season. So yeah, he isn’t exactly the lone voice calling for a strike, but he is still involved in negotiations and as a face of the players’ association.
As for going back to Everton, the old CBA said that in the event of a work stoppage, players can sign with other leagues provided they return to MLS after the stoppage ends. The old CBA has expired meaning this provision is null, but the general consensus is that nothing could stop him — although if the negotiations got nasty, MLS owners could be dicks and seek an injunction, saying because it’s a strike and not a lockout that he can’t sign abroad. Point being that if there is a strike, the only people to benefit will be the lawyers.
MLS is not going to play during the knockout stages I believe. Although if there is a short strike, the assumption is they would have to do so to make up the time they lost.
@spectator: going off of memory, i think the CBA says that the terms of the players contract will incorporate the terms of the CBA, so I’m not sure if the provision you reference is actually without effect because the player contracts are not voided as a part of a strike/lockout.
spec, I think whiz is asking from the FA standpoint of whether Everton can strike a new loan for Donovan now. Being that the previous loan has expired, its’ a question of if Landon’s return wouldn’t be seen as an extension of that by the FA, but an entirely new transfer. And if so, I don’t think Everton can claim “emergency” on this.
@TFA: Good call, I bet it’s in his contract as well.
@Keith: That’s a very good point. I looked up the rule in the Premier League handbook, and I _think_ any loan outside the transfer window is purely within the league’s discretion. Given that Lando was already with Everton on loan, I bet they would approve it since he was already registered. But who knows. Rules for transfers are in Section M, and they read like TV installation instructions.
http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/7a/20/0,,12306~139386,00.pdf
Obviously there’s a conflict of interest, because one outcome (strike) is better for Donovan’s career than the other. But as you say, LD isn’t using his influence to campaigning too hard for the strike to happen. His comments at the end of that Guardian story were fairly neutral (basically: “we don’t want to strike, but we do want better conditions”).
That said, as an England fan I’m hoping he goes back to MLS where he can’t damage any more of our leftbacks.
WHERE’S MY BURRITO! WHERE’S MY BURRITO!
Hey TSE where you from i’ve played against the terriers you from the riverside area?
@TNO: Landon went to East Valley not Redlands High. I grew up in the Highland area but I’m way older.
Oh he went to REV i’m in the coachella valley i know a guy who played against him in high school