Last week, we told you about the Seattle Sounders FC coaching search, which had prompted the Columbus Crew to file tampering charges with the MLS. (Apparently, the Sounders began pursuit of Crew coach Sigi Schmid while he was still under contract.) We also joked that the whole mess could be solved with a shoebox full of cash. Little did we know that would be exactly what would happen.
Sounders Mollify Crew with Money and Cash
Whatever Paul Allen Wants...
In the white collar world, stealing a highly-skilled employee from your competitor is called "poaching" (we're looking at you, Google), and it's a practice that has become a source of pride (and dollar signs) amongst the business start-up community. However, if your new business is, say, an MLS soccer team, attempting to woo a championship-winning coach from his current team while he's still under contract is called "tampering," and according to league rules, strictly forbidden. Or should we say verboten, since the coach in question is Sigi Schmid, soon-to-be-former Columbus Crew head coach, who last month led his team to the league championship and now is being pursued by Seattle Sounders FC. According to GOALSeattle, the Crew have filed tampering charges against the Sounders and are awaiting a decision from the league office. Or a shoebox full of cash. Whichever.

