MLS Communism Kills Kandji Deal (UPDATE AGAIN!)

By: Dave Martinez | August 28th, 2008

Just when you thought the league turned the corner on ridiculous rules and regulations, we get this - MLS has blocked Red Bulls transfer of Atlanta Silverback standout, Kandji.

Grandfathering Carlos Ruiz is fine.

Grandfathering Landon Donovan? No problem Beckha . . . I mean Galaxy.

Allowing teams to label bogus discovery claims on players they have no intention of signing? Hunky Dory.

But not allowing the Red Bulls to use $200k of their own money, earned in deals like Jozy to Villarreal, which have lined the pockets of many an MLS official, is an absolute atrocity. Its a step backwards. Its unfair. Its downright Communism at its ugliest.

The Bulls developed Jozy, put money into infrastructure, player development, player signings – you name it, the Red Bull organization has earned its money here (whatever has been made!). Who has the right tell an organization what to do with its money, especially when they are playing within the convoluted rules? Is it because its a USL player? Or is this a feable attempt to protect smaller market teams from feeling jipped, since they do not have the funds of the Red Bulls Conglomerate? Come on now.

This is wrong on so many levels. But the one underlying message in all of this that I am getting is simple – MLS does not respect itself enough to believe that one of its own can handle a 200k transfer gamble. And that is a sad state of affairs for those of us who are under the illusions that MLS is becoming a world class league.

Its time to take the plunge MLS. Small steps like allowing the Red Bulls to use their money at their own discretion will build the credibility of the league, not only domestically, but worldwide. Blocking these moves just reinforces the image of MLS as a small, tepid yet totalitarion and fragile league. And these are small steps ladies and gentlemen – George Steinbrenner scratches his nose and 200K fall out.

Take the plunge MLS. Believe in your ownership. Allow teams more freedom. Its time to start letting go.

UPDATE: 4:30PM

- Metrofanatic.com was able to reach Ivan Gazidis, MLS Deputy Commissioner, for his comments on this move. He denied that MLS ever rejected any deal, and basically chalked it up to new media hype – “and of course blogs are driven by hits, not necessarily by the same standards as print media.” Check out what Metrofanatic has learned – click here!

UPDATE: 7:30PM

- I was watching GolTV, and according to their report, it was the Red Bulls who thought that 200K would be too much to spend for a partial season transfer fee, and withdrew! Believe what you will?

UPDATE 9:30pm

Ives sticks to the original story and sources. In a big way. Check it out!

Some Related Red Bulls Posts:

Category: +++ MY INFO +++, CURRENT ROSTER, NATIONAL NEWS, News, ROLL CALL, Red Bulls, SBI Ives Galarcep - http://www.soccerbyives.net, Team News, daveredbulls(a)hotmail.com

« Bulls Abroad : Jozy Altidore | Home | Trialist Sainey Tourey Signed. Ubiparipovic, Vindicated. »

CG

I actually was arguing this point a few posts back. MLS needs to do the right thing and let a team that is owned by an independent company buy and sell and spend how it pleases. This happens everywhere else why not here?
nolayuprule

and all we want is a striker with promise to offset the losses of our home grown Jozy and our all-MLS signing of Angel

is that so much to ask?
Dave Martinez

Its a shame - the general lack of transparancy in the MLS power structure breeds these kinds of rumors. From injuries to salary cap, fans are left largely in the dark and are made to assume the absolute worst (based on past questionable decisions and rulings). With now 3 different and credible sources reporting 3 distinctly different things, we will probably just have to wait till tommorrow to sort all this trash out.

And I thought it would be a slow news day . . .
nolayuprule

One has to really wonder. Perhaps its true that 200k is too rich for one of the biggest markets in the US or perhaps Kandji isnt worth it to the RBs {I dont know if he is or isnt} and perhaps its all BS PR!!!

one really has to wonder with this league though.
Dave Martinez

NLR - did you check out my latest update? If so, I understand the reaction.
nolayuprule

AAaaaaaagggggrrrrrrrggggahhahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[/freakout]

ahhh, home sweet home.
Dave Martinez

NLR - youve been around here long enough to know temper tantrums have a home on the Red Bulls Offside - rereading my post, I think I had one myself!
nolayuprule

ok, interesting update.

Are they backpedaling or was it BS? Hard to say. I wouldn't put it past them to change their minds based on fan reaction and then pretend it never happened.

Its not like anyone doesn't see this kind of act as in character for MLS after all.
nolayuprule

Fucking amazing! Transfer fees are ok when players are headed overseas but coming to MLS - no thank you!

Im really stunned that the league would make an example here where we are talking peanuts! 200K!!! Its an embarassment! Thats the kind of money High Shool football teams pay a coach!

This is supposed to be a professional league and they are going to balk at 200K? I dont care if its Adidas vs Nike / MLS vs USL. There is no way a 200K transfer fee registers on either company's profits at all. thats a pittance!

Clearly its a continued effort to shield small markets and protect the league from their worst fear ... namely another Cosmos-esque bankrupting of the league.

But times have changed and this is a peanuts deal. I guess not when compared to the poor bastards payed 17K for the season but thats another travesty!

Anyway if a team cant improve itself via signings and developments then this isnt a sport. If its only ok for the MLS to make money in transfers not to see it spent then this is a shell game disguised as a sport.

Im far less concerned about the acquisition of the player himself and infuriated that a fledgling league that Ive made efforts to support and excuse is acting like a government run bureaucracy in the 3rd world. I expect Kafka to be the commissioner of the MLS with this kind of bizzarity!

fuck that.

{please excuse my temper tantrum}
Dave Martinez

Red Bull Vodka! Excellent idea! We can raise more money with those, and have MLS reject its use! lol. I am waiting to see what happens with all of this.
martha in miami

Okay, read the update...I feel bad for JCO, as I know he was handcuffed financially, back in Feb. and maybe again now...with all the Redbull sold, to be mixed w/vodka on So. Beach alone, would pay for these guys to play, lol...Alright, we take it back MLS, but I am still ticked about my beloved Supporters Shield Fusion!
martha in miami

Sheez! They as a rule, avoid transfer fees, like the plague. I know for a fact in Feb., they COULD have had our dynamic forward in hand, whom happened to be Colombian no less, but would not pony up the funds! I am STILL ticked at them, that the wealthiest country on the globe, contracted 2 beloved teams, in a knee jerk reaction, after 2001. They make it hard to be a fan!
Dave Martinez

Is it putting down communism?
Nolan

Don't compare communism to the pathetic administration of the Galaxy Show, uhh, I mean MLS.
David Martinez

Bob sheds the light. Its just a sad situation overall that is surely leaving MLS fans scratching their collective brains out . . .
Bob Kellett

Atlanta will now sell him to a league overseas and buy about 7 MLS players with the money they make. Dumb move, MLS.

This isn't about Atlanta moving to MLS. Kandji won't be back in Atlanta next year. It is about MLS not wanting to give any money to a league that it competes with for lower end players. It is also about MLS being tied to Adidas and USL being owned by Nike/Umbro.
BMatthews

how about this for thought:
Atlanta is a prime target for MLS expansion: maybe they don't want Atlanta giving away all of their good players before 2010?
Just thinking outloud here
Lucas

Blocking the Kanji transfer is another two-steps-back for MLS. Dumb move. Got to reform this monolithic approach to things eventually, right?
David Martinez

But that gets back to my point - Red Bulls have scouted Kanji and found him to be worth a risk, as any club would do anywhere else around the world. MLS feels that type of investment on an unproven quantity is above the teams paygrade. Hence, they do not believe their current crop of owners are capable of spotting diamonds ever. Its an insult to owners league round to me.
BMatthews

don't get me wrong..I wanted Kanji...and i think we should be allowed to spend the 200k, but its the MLS and I'm not shocked
BMatthews

yeah, but 200,000 is probably a lot for an "unproven" talent. The reality of the MLS is they really can't let teams spend money every way they want until there is a consistent and equal(ish) stream of money flowing to all of the teams.
David Martinez

I hear ya, but after years of back and forth transactions between the league, NOW MLS wants to prove some kind of a point? USL isnt even competition at this point (no offense) to the MLS product. It would be petty and even now, after all this, and unbelievable reason to pull this kind of garbage out.
BMatthews

One of the commenters got it right over at S-B-I. This is really all about the MLS sending a message to the players and the USL. Saying the MLS is your only option if you want to be serious about playing professional soccer, and don't bother hoping to transfer in/make money on transferring your talent.