February 5 – Major League Soccer (MLS) has again extended the deadline for negotiating a new pay deal with its players union. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) has to be in place before the start of the new season in the Spring.
It is the second time the league has granted an extension, with negotiations now running until the end of Friday. Both parties have been locked in negotiations, but the MLS has threatened that if no deal is found, it will terminate the CBA.
“Major League Soccer and the MLSPA continue to meet daily to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the League in 2021 and beyond,” wrote the MLS in a statement. “Although we have not finalized a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and remain apart on some key issues, discussions this week have been productive, and we have made progress.”
In January, the MLS proposed no more pay cuts to its players for the 2021 season, but in exchange asked for a two-year extension to the CBA. In that scenario, the CBA would run through to 2027. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, due to be hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, the extension would extinguish leverage for the MLSPA to negotiate improved terms.
Last week, the MLSPA, offered to extend the length of the deal by one year to 2026, reduce the salary cap every year from 2022-25, as well as reduce the percentage of revenue from TV rights in 2024 to 12.5%, an offer equalling $53 million in concessions.
But the relationship between the two parties remains fractious, ever since the league decided to reopen CBA negotiations, invoking a force majeure clause due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Any breakdown in negotiations could cast a major shadow over the new MLS season which is scheduled to kick off in April.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1731840689labto1731840689ofdlr1731840689owedi1731840689sni@o1731840689fni1731840689