MLS threatens disciplinary action over restart leaks

It appears Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber is no fan of The Athletic's work.

Since May 12, The Athletic has repeatedly reported on a potential MLS season restart plan that could involve a 26-club tournament held in Orlando. On Monday, The Athletic soccer staff confirmed the existence of an internal memo in which Garber threatened all league personnel with disciplinary action if they leaked information regarding the resumption of the campaign halted after two matchdays because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Per The Athletic, employees could be fired and/or hit with fines worth up to $1 million for releasing information deemed sensitive and private. 

The memo specifically mentioned The Athletic.

Additionally, MLS is working with an investigative firm to locate league employees who have been chatty with outlets throughout the uncontrolled virus outbreak.

MLS and the MLS Players Association declined to comment to The Athletic regarding the memo. Both parties must agree to a plan for playing during the pandemic before official preparations can commence in Florida or any other location.

There have been no reports about any of the commissioners from the top-four North American sports leagues making similar warnings to employees about leaks. Updates on negotiations between owners and players among the NBA, NHL, and MLB have emerged each week since early April.

MLS matches draw a fraction of television viewers compared to those leagues, and logic would suggest the top-flight soccer competition would embrace any publicity at a time when all team sports in the country remain indefinitely suspended.

Nothing in The Athletic's reporting suggests owners or players are using the press to sway public opinion.