OFFSIDE REMARKS It doesn't make sense MLS won't allow Red Bulls to spend their cents on charter flights
For now, Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena and his team will have to take regularly scheduled flights to road games instead of charters. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
We all know about the MLS salary cap that has been in place since Day One of the league in 1996.
But apparently there are league restraints on how teams can spend their money off the field as well.
Case in point: MLS has rejected the New York Red Bulls' request of flying to road games on charter flights, according to league sources.
The league felt the Red Bulls would have an unfair advantage and perhaps start an off-field spending race between teams, sources said.
The Red Bulls wanted to avoid the congestion at Newark Liberty International Airport during the summer months, one source said.
Red Bulls managing director Marc de Grandpre wouldn't comment on the issue.
Unfair advantage?
Well, most teams, including the Red Bulls, fly into cities a day or two before a game to get accustomed and perhaps practice on the stadium field, and leave the next morning.
If a team wants to fly out hours after a match to save money on hotels (it could be a wash anyway with the charter and even in the red), let them.
So, what unfair advantage?
If a club wants to spend some extra money to make life a little better for the players, I don't have a problem.
And if a team doesn't want to spend the extra money, so be it.
I don't know if you have been to Newark International Airport during the summer, but it is certainly not a fun place to be (actually, I have found it difficult to navigate thought any time of the year).
And in this day and age of increased security and overcrowded airports, teams should be allowed have the option of chartering their own flights. Teams in other sports have chartered flights and if MLS wants to be perceived as a major league, they should allow clubs to have the option of doing so.
If the Red Bulls want to spend millions of dollars to promote the team and attract new fans (remember when they bused fans down to RFK Stadium for free for last year's season opener and brought in entertainment for the home opener; the team spent a pretty penny), that's their business.
If Giants Stadium or Red Bull Park winds up having overflowing crowds (yes, I know the Giants Stadium scenario is a fantasy) that makes life difficult for opposing players, does that constitute unfair advantage? No, it's a home-field advantage.
When Red Bull purchased the MetroStars last year they wanted to do things first class or close to it as possible.
So, let them do it.
Of course, there is always hope. The league has loosened its salary restrictions somewhat on paying for players via the designated player. It took a few years, but the league decided to take the plunge, at least for a couple of seasons.
Perhaps in a year or two, teams will be allowed to fly in and out of cities whenever they please.
According to sources, the Red Bulls plan to pursue having charter flights in future seasons.
