your views on the arbitration process

[gilesfan]

If I was getting $500K, at minimum, I wouldn't necessarily give a ****.

Have you been to Rochester?

 

[Hawk]

Have you been to Rochester?

Haha, no, but I'm the type of person that finds Detroit charming.

 

[Dalyn]

I haven't had a raise in 10 years...

You're at your job category maximum?

 

[gilesfan]

Haha, no, but I'm the type of person that finds Detroit charming.

In which way?

 

[gilesfan]

You're at your job category maximum?

yes. Now, going back to school so I can eventually have a slack job as college professor.

 

[Dalyn]

In which way?

Post-apocalyptic.

 

[Dalyn]

yes. Now, going back to school so I can eventually have a slack job as college professor.

Good on you for going back to school. Good luck!

 

[NinersSBChamps]

I bet you wouldn't love to have a job where you only had one option for an employer, and they paid you way less that you would get if you could choose. And if you didn't like what they paid you, no other company in the field would be allowed to hire you. Bet you wouldn't actually like that.

Are you serious? These poor professional athletes who only get to be in their sports best leagues. Guess there aren't professional baseball leagues in Japan, Mexico, or Puerto Rico?

 

[gilesfan]

Are you serious? These poor professional athletes who only get to be in their sports best leagues. Guess there aren't professional baseball leagues in Japan, Mexico, or Puerto Rico?

Wow, strong argument here.....

 

[Knucksie]

I bet you wouldn't love to have a job where you only had one option for an employer, and they paid you way less that you would get if you could choose. And if you didn't like what they paid you, no other company in the field would be allowed to hire you. Bet you wouldn't actually like that.

Curt Flood was making over $100,000/year, toward a HOF career, with over 3 months off and in a city he liked. The average household income was under $10,000. So, within the context of the times, it could be understandable if certain members of the general public might not have been quite so sympathetic.

 

[Julio3000]

Curt Flood was making over $100,000/year, toward a HOF career, with over 3 months off and in a city he liked. The average household income was under $10,000. So, within the context of the times, it could be understandable if certain members of the general public might not have been quite so sympathetic.

Sure, and also beside the point. Also bear in mind that a pro athlete's earning potential is limited to a handful of years in their 20s and 30s.

The salaries of athletes and entertainers ick me out, frankly. But the pertinent question isn't "Was Player X making a solid living?" It's "Would his services have been worth ten times more if he had the ability to shop them freely, as most Americans do."

 

[thewupk]

Sure, and also beside the point. Also bear in mind that a pro athlete's earning potential is limited to a handful of years in their 20s and 30s.

The salaries of athletes and entertainers ick me out, frankly. But the pertinent question isn't "Was Player X making a solid living?" It's "Would his services have been worth ten times more if he had the ability to shop them freely, as most Americans do."

Yup. Simple supply and demand. And I am firmly in the camp that I want the players to get as much money as they can overall instead of the owners. Players are what drive the league and they should get paid for it at a healthy % of what the league is making.

 

[Knucksie]

Sure, and also beside the point. Also bear in mind that a pro athlete's earning potential is limited to a handful of years in their 20s and 30s.

The salaries of athletes and entertainers ick me out, frankly. But the pertinent question isn't "Was Player X making a solid living?" It's "Would his services have been worth ten times more if he had the ability to shop them freely, as most Americans do."

My intention for starting the thread wasn't really to extend the conversation to free agency and the reserve clause, but here we are now. Arguments from 1970 seem kind of quaint in retrospect. Nevertheless, recommendations to anybody who's interested in these subjects:

Read the book A Well Paid Slave. (That expression was actually uttered by Curt Flood, and did not help the PR for his cause.)
See the HBO documentary, "The Curious Case of Curt Flood."

 

[50PoundHead]

Here is the exact criteria from the CBA that the Arbitrators are expected to abide by:

(10) Criteria

(a) The criteria will be the quality of the Player’s contribution to his Club during the past season (including but not limited to his overall performance, special qualities of leadership and public appeal), the length and consistency of his career contribution, the record of the Player’s past compensation, comparative baseball salaries (see paragraph (11) below for confidential salary data), the existence of any physical or mental defects on the part of the Player, and the recent performance record of the Club including but not limited to its League standing and attendance as an indication of public acceptance (subject to the exclusion stated in subparagraph (b)(i) below). Any evidence may be submitted which is relevant to the above criteria, and the arbitration panel shall assign such weight to the evidence as shall appear appropriate under the circumstances. The arbitration panel shall, except for a Player with five or more years of Major League service, give particular attention, for comparative salary purposes, to the contracts of Players with Major League service not exceeding one annual service group above the Player’s annual service group. This shall not limit the ability of a Player or his representative, because of special accomplishment, to argue the equal relevance of salaries of Players without regard to service, and the arbitration panel shall give whatever weight to such argument as is deemed appropriate.

(b) Evidence of the following shall not be admissible:

(i) The financial position of the Player and the Club;

(ii) Press comments, testimonials or similar material bearing on the performance of either the Player or the Club, except that recognized annual Player awards for playing excellence shall not be excluded;

(iii) Offers made by either Player or Club prior to arbitration;

(iv) The cost to the parties of their representatives, attorneys,etc.;

(v) Salaries in other sports or occupations.

(11) Confidential Major League Salary Data. For its confidential use, as background information, the arbitration panel will be given a tabulation showing the minimum salary in the Major Leagues and salaries for the preceding season of all players on Major League rosters as of August 31, broken down by years of Major League service. The names and Clubs of the Players concerned will appear on the tabulation. In utilizing the salary tabulation, the arbitration panel shall consider the salaries of all comparable Players and not merely the salary of a single Player or group of Players.

Hard to believe Francoeur ever risked going to arbitration given that caveat.

 

[chop2chip]

Are you serious? These poor professional athletes who only get to be in their sports best leagues. Guess there aren't professional baseball leagues in Japan, Mexico, or Puerto Rico?

You consume the product don't you?