MLS, players reach deal
Sides ratify new CBA, clearing way for summer tourney in Orlando.
Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, clearing the way for the league to play a summer tournament in Orlando.
The union announced the agreement Wednesday after days of tension. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said on a conference call Wednesday he threatened to lock out players if they did not agree to their terms by noon on Tuesday, prompting players to skip voluntary training sessions Monday and Tuesday.
“That’s the first time in the 25-year history of our league that we ever had to get to that point,” Garber said of the lockout threat. “It’s not something that I did without a lot of thought and without a lot of concern and a lot of understanding as to what impact that would have on our players and on the negotiation. But it was something — as the leader of this league — that I believed was necessary in order for us to get to the point today that we have reached an agreement.”
The new CBA includes concessions on both sides.
Players and league owners initially agreed to a deal before the season kicked off, but it was never signed and the coronavirus shutdown of all sports triggered negotiations over a modified deal.
The length of the CBA was extended one year past the original verbal agreement, a change the players sought.
League owners also reportedly backed off attendance terms attached to a new force majeure clause, initially suggesting both MLS and MLPSA both could suspend the CBA if five teams suffered a 25% drop in attendance.
Players were offended by the attendance requirement that could easily be invoked at any time because of the varying ways crowds are counted. MLS owners agreed to a revised force majeure clause structured more like the NBA’s CBA, basing it on cancellation of games rather than a decline in ticket sales.
Players agreed to a 5% salary cut for 2020, a much lower number than previously discussed. The league had previously suggested cuts of anywhere from 10% to 50%.
The players will also reduce their share of media rights revenue that was first negotiated in the CBA this spring. Player shares will drop from 25% to 12.5% in
2023, then return to 25% for 2024 and 2025.
All of these changes were made to compensate for the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which Garber estimated would cost the league $1 billion.
While the CBA and the move toward resuming play were major developments, much of MLSPA’s statement on the deal focused on the nationwide turmoil following the death of George Floyd.
As thousands of people in more than 60 cities across the U.S. protest racism and police brutality, the MLS players pledged to use their platform to further the conversation.
“We are grieving, we are fed up, we expect change, and we expect action,” the statement read. “This change won’t come on the field, but it will come partly through the force and determination of all who seek justice and equality. We hope our return to the field will allow fans a momentary release and a semblance of normalcy.
“We are committed as a group to doing all that we can — both as leaders in our sport as well as leaders in our communities — to help carry our countries, our communities, our league and our sport forward.”
Garber said the overwhelming fear caused by the pandemic and the anger following the past eight days of nationwide protests ramped up emotions throughout the negotiating
process. On a call 10 days ago, he said many players vented frustration about the idea of leaving their families to spend weeks in Orlando.
The commissioner said the ultimate agreement left both parties feeling satisfied with the negotiation process. But some players told ESPN reporter Jeff Carlisle the past three months left them frustrated and upset.
“Labor negotiations are never easy,” Garber said. “And they shouldn’t be. They should be difficult so that they force both sides to ensure that they’re doing everything possible to address everybody’s concerns.
“I believe the players have done that. I believe their leadership has done that. And I believe our owners and the leadership of
the league representing the owners in negotiations have done that as well.”
The league will now shift its focus to planning its upcoming tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Disney World property, resuming play for the first time since the season was suspended March 12 to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. At the time, teams had played only two games.
The event will be closed to fans. Players and staff will be tested for COVID-19 and go through extensive safety protocol with the hope of preventing an outbreak among the MLS pool.
FC Dallas announced Wednesday a player tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the club to shut down its voluntary workouts. The league has a
process in place for resuming play after a positive test, but it’s a slow process.
The league and players association have been negotiating terms for an Orlando tournament for several weeks.
Under the current plan, teams would arrive in Orlando on June 24, then train for two weeks. After this mini-preseason, the tournament would commence with a three-game group stage followed by a singleelimination knockout round. Teams would leave Orlando immediately after being eliminated
This would keep teams in Orlando for 35 days at most instead of the league’s previous plan, which would have lasted more than 10 weeks. The timeline addresses widespread concerns from players throughout the league about extended separation from their families.
Garber said the league is still finalizing details of the Orlando tournament and declined to comment on tournament dates and broadcast plans.
However, unlike the National Women’s Soccer League’s Challenge Cup, Garber said the tournament will be mandatory for all players barring an extenuating health concern.
Although Garber said the league hopes to schedule further games following the Orlando tournament, he said the structure and timing of those matches have yet to be determined.
“The key word is uncertainty,” Garber said.