Deal paves way for reopening
Tournament to be played in empty sports complex at Disney World
Major League Soccer and its players’ union reached an agreement that paves the way for a summer tournament in Florida after the season was suspended by the coronavirus pandemic.
The deal was announced by the Major League Soccer Players Association on Wednesday following tense talks and the league threatening a lockout. Players from Toronto FC, the Montreal Impact, the Vancouver Whitecaps and other markets skipped training the past two days as the two sides remained at odds.
“Although I’m relieved and excited that a deal has finally been made to get us back to play, the tactics that were used by the league were very unfortunate and upsetting,” Whitecaps fullback Jake Nerwinski said.
“I’m proud that even though at some points the players had their back against the wall, we never gave in. We stood in solidarity and remained a unified coalition to get a deal done.” MLS and the union agreed
Feb. 6 to a five-year labour contract, but the deal had not been ratified when the season was stopped on March 12 after only two matches had been played by each team.
The players agreed to a 7.5 per cent pay cut dating back to their last paycheque of May 31, Nerwinski said.
The ratified collective bargaining agreement was announced in the midst of nationwide protests over police brutality and injustice against African-Americans sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Both sides noted the unrest in announcing the contract.
“There are problems we face collectively that are both more urgent, and more important, than competing on the field,” the union said in a statement. “We hope our return to the field will allow fans a momentary release and a semblance of normalcy.”
FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund, a former Toronto FC player, said there was no winner.
“Both sides are conceding. But ultimately, it’s moving forward and soccer’s going to be back and I think that’s the important thing,” he said.
Nashville SC defender Daniel Lovitz, formerly of both Toronto and Montreal, said players were “excited and relieved” to get back to action at the Florida tournament, “pending the resolution of a lot of important details that I’m sure will be communicated rather soon.” MLS commissioner Don Garber said the league expects to take a $1-billion (U.S.) revenue hit because of the coronavirus.
The revised CBA, a six-year deal through 2025, includes across-the-board pay cuts and reduced bonuses.
One of the sticking points was a clause that allows either side to opt out of the deal because of unforeseen circumstances, like a pandemic. The agreement does not tie the clause to attendance, something the league had sought.
The agreement also changes the players’ share of media rights negotiated in the original CBA. The share will drop from 25 per cent to 12.5 per cent in 2023, but will be restored to 25 per cent in 2024.
Details of the tournament were still being finalized. Teams and limited staff would be based in the Orlando area and matches played without fans at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World.