Is there a resource that can tell me how all (or most/many) of the National sides are compensated? I’m curious because the USSF and the US MNT are in a lock out situation right now which is a serious threat to the USA qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.
One reason I ask is because in a Yahoo Groups discussion the statement was made, “The US MNT is easily the most highly compensated team in the world.” (paraphrased)
I think that assertion is at least somewhat suspect.
So maybe around £5000 per match plus expenses might be a good guess? Any idea if this escalates for performance in Euro and World Cup competitions? How about for “friendlies”?
It’s interesting that it come to such an impasse in the U.S. In most European countries neither Football Association or players would dare let a conflict over money become an such an issue in playing for your national team, because they know they would get crucified by the fans and media. Playing for your country is supposed to be a priviledge.
I would think that most players on European national teams make a good deal of money playing for club teams as well. I don’t think that is the case in the US.
I think you’d be surprised at how few people realize that there is this lockout situation. I didn’t know about it until now. If the basketball team pulled it, though, that would probably be the straw that broke the camel’s back when it comes to these guys.
A good deal of the US team* plays for clubs in England/Europe, now or in the past:
Carlos Bocanegra - Fulham
Bobby Convey - Reading (Reserves)
Brad Friedel - Blackburn
Tim Howard, Jonathan Spector - Manchester Utd
Kasey Keller - Tottenham
Eddie Lewis - Preston North End
Brian McBride - Fulham
Claudio Reyna - Manchester City
Gregg Berhalter - Energie Cottbus (2nd Bundesliga)
Conor Casey - FSV Mainz (Bundesliga)
Landon Donovan - Bayer Leverkusen
Steve Cherundolo & Clint Mathis - Hannover 96
DaMarcus Beasley - PSV Eindhoven
John O’Brien - Ajax Amsterdam
Greg Vanney - SC Bastia (France)
Oguchi Onyewu - Royal Standard (Belgium)
What’s tough for them is for all of their qualifying games it’s at least one international flight away. So it’s a bit tougher to get out and back and then they generally miss at least one paycheck. If the game is away then it’s two or more international flights and really draining physically.
The USSF also really should consider that, at least in the long run, their competition is also MLB, NBA, NFL, etc. In that some of the best atheletes, when they are young, might consider any of these options (dependent, somewhat, on physical stature). One would automatically suspect that the USSF would work in the best interest for the future of world football in America, but sometimes they seem a bit myopic on that count. And they’re non-profit so if they’re generating extra revenue I’d be interested to know where it’s going.
*Of course a lot of players on the US team play in the MLS, usually at the beginning or end of their careers. Eddie Johnson and Brian Ching would be two prime examples of very promising young players who currently star in MLS. I expect both to switch to European clubs in the next 2-3 years.
FWIW, the Player’s Association has rejected USSF’s offer of binding arbitration, and are seeking mediation instead. I just hope that they can get back on the field soon.
I don’t buy that, at all. The skills and the physical demands of these games are very very different. After all, there’s no suggestion that European rugby loses talent to football due to the huge difference in potential renumeration.
It’s not that common, but we do see it here. Michael Vick, a much hyped NFL quarterback, has the skills to have been a top rate football player (in both American and World football). He’s faster than anyone, can turn on a dime, and if anything is a bit slight for American football. There have been a handful of American football players that also played baseball, usually when they have a lot of speed and agility. There have also been a handful of atheletes who could play both basketball and football at a high level, and one American athelete, Dave Winfield, who was drafted in baseball, football and basketball. He ended up playing baseball mainly because of the high salaries and the longevity of career. But more importantly, these talented natural atheletes often have to decide at a younger age which sport they’ll specialize in. Perhaps not in England, but here it’s certainly part of the thought process of which sport might maximize future earnings potential. Even when it’s just a longshot.