Replacement player
Encyclopedia
In professional sports
, a replacement player is an athlete who is not a member of the league's players association and plays during a labor dispute such as a strike
or lockout
.
, and the owners brought in replacement players to continue the season. After three weeks, many of the players on strike returned, weakening the union's position.
(MLBPA) went on strike. Spring training
in 1995 started with replacement players. However, the dispute was settled before regular season games were played. Players who agreed to serve as replacement players were subsequently blacklisted by the MLBPA, although the majority of them had not been eligible to join the union at the time they crossed picket lines, since they had not played in the major leagues.
and its players led to U.S. national team
players not reporting to camp in lieu of qualification for the 2006 World Cup. With almost every single Major League Soccer
player, even those not in the U.S. player pool, refusing to participate, the camp was made up from players from the lower divisions of US Soccer, the United Soccer Leagues
. The two sides came to an agreement before any matches were played.
's Toronto Triumph
, including team captain, Krista Ford, quit the team after its first game in 2011, citing numerous complaints, including injury concerns, incompetent coaching, and league management. The mass exodus left only starting quarterback Donna Paul and five other players still on the team. The Triumph added ten replacement players to their roster to finish out the season.
Officials Association struck in 1993. The league decided to bring in replacement officials, however many officials from the minor league
s and high-level junior hockey stood with the union and refused to break the picket line. This led to the resolution of the strike after 17 days.
umpires
resigned since their collective bargaining agreement did not allow them to strike. The 12 umpires who decided not to resign were joined by 25 replacements. The umpires' posturing was unsuccessful and led to a lengthy legal battle. In the end, some – but not all – of the umpires who resigned were rehired, and a new union, the World Umpires Association
, was created to represent the umpires.
, the NFL and its officials' union were unable to secure a deal, resulting in the officials going on strike partway through the season. Replacement officials from the NCAA and Arena Football League were brought in to officiate games. Much to the surprise of the league, many fans found the replacement officials to be better than the ones who were doing the officiating in the first place, but after four weeks, an agreement was reached and the original officials returned to the field.
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
, a replacement player is an athlete who is not a member of the league's players association and plays during a labor dispute such as a strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
or lockout
Lockout (industry)
A lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work.- Causes :...
.
National Football League – 1987
The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) went on strike in 19871987 NFL season
The 1987 NFL season was the 68th regular season of the National Football League. A 24-day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15. The games that were scheduled for the third week of the season were canceled, but the games for weeks 4–6 were played with replacement players...
, and the owners brought in replacement players to continue the season. After three weeks, many of the players on strike returned, weakening the union's position.
Major League Baseball – 1995
In 1994, the Major League Baseball Players AssociationMajor League Baseball Players Association
The Major League Baseball Players Association is the union of professional major-league baseball players.-History of MLBPA:The MLBPA was not the first attempt to unionize baseball players...
(MLBPA) went on strike. Spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in 1995 started with replacement players. However, the dispute was settled before regular season games were played. Players who agreed to serve as replacement players were subsequently blacklisted by the MLBPA, although the majority of them had not been eligible to join the union at the time they crossed picket lines, since they had not played in the major leagues.
United States national soccer team – 2005
In 2005, the labor conflict between the United States Soccer FederationUnited States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
and its players led to U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
players not reporting to camp in lieu of qualification for the 2006 World Cup. With almost every single Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
player, even those not in the U.S. player pool, refusing to participate, the camp was made up from players from the lower divisions of US Soccer, the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
. The two sides came to an agreement before any matches were played.
Toronto Triumph – 2011
Twenty of the 26 players on the Lingerie Football LeagueLingerie Football League
The Lingerie Football League is a women's 7-on-7 tackle American football league, created in 2009, with games played in the fall and winter at NBA, NFL, NHL and MLS arenas and stadiums. The league was founded by Mitch Mortaza...
's Toronto Triumph
Toronto Triumph
The Toronto Triumph is an expansion team in the Lingerie Football League which began play in the 2011-12 season. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the Triumph plays their home games at Ricoh Coliseum.Donna Paul is the team's starting quarterback...
, including team captain, Krista Ford, quit the team after its first game in 2011, citing numerous complaints, including injury concerns, incompetent coaching, and league management. The mass exodus left only starting quarterback Donna Paul and five other players still on the team. The Triumph added ten replacement players to their roster to finish out the season.
Replacement officials
Though not technically players, professional officials have associations very similar to players associations.National Hockey League – 1993
The National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Officials Association struck in 1993. The league decided to bring in replacement officials, however many officials from the minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
s and high-level junior hockey stood with the union and refused to break the picket line. This led to the resolution of the strike after 17 days.
Major League Baseball – 1999
In 1999, 22 Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
umpires
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
resigned since their collective bargaining agreement did not allow them to strike. The 12 umpires who decided not to resign were joined by 25 replacements. The umpires' posturing was unsuccessful and led to a lengthy legal battle. In the end, some – but not all – of the umpires who resigned were rehired, and a new union, the World Umpires Association
World Umpires Association
The World Umpires Association is an organization of Major League Baseball umpires. It was certified by the National Labor Relations Board on February 24, 2000 as a bargaining agent. It took over as bargaining agent for MLB umpires before the 2000 MLB season, replacing the Major League Umpires...
, was created to represent the umpires.
National Football League – 2001
Before the 2001 NFL season2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
, the NFL and its officials' union were unable to secure a deal, resulting in the officials going on strike partway through the season. Replacement officials from the NCAA and Arena Football League were brought in to officiate games. Much to the surprise of the league, many fans found the replacement officials to be better than the ones who were doing the officiating in the first place, but after four weeks, an agreement was reached and the original officials returned to the field.