MLS uncertainty
Following the success of the 2020 season, there were fewer doubts as to whether MLS could continue during a pandemic in 2021, but uncertainty remained for different reasons.
In December, the league invoked the force majeure clause present in their most recent collective bargaining agreement with the players.
This meant the league and the players’ union, the MLSPA, returned to the negotiating table to carve out renewed terms around pay and working conditions.
The pandemic played a part as the league isn’t bringing in as much revenue because of it, while players – many of whom are relatively low earners in football terms – couldn’t afford a work interruption or loss of earnings.
Lockouts – effectively player strikes – are common in other US sports and many predicted one in MLS this year, but an agreement was reached in February after weeks of negotiations, and the league goes ahead as planned.