• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 18, 2025

MLS, MLSPA Sign New Five-Year CBA Agreement

  • The new CBA between MLS and the MLSPA brings increased investment in player spending as well as expanded free agency.
  • MLS players will, for the first time, share in the increased revenue generated by MLS’ new media agreements in 2023 and 2024.
Nov 12, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders players and fans react as confetti falls on the champions parade. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports

Major League Soccer and the Major League Soccer Players Association have reached an agreement in principle on a new collective bargaining agreement.

The new five-year deal will begin with the 2020 season, and run through the 2024 season. The deal is still subject to the approval of the MLS Board of Governors and the MLSPA membership.

Signed 24 days prior to the start of the season – well ahead of the agreements of the previous CBAs – the deal makes substantial progress in a variety of issues that were raised by the league’s player base.

At the most basic, MLS is increasing its investment in the salary budget, raising the senior minimum salaries from $81,375 to $109,200 in 2024. The league will also increase the salary budget, general allocation money, and player performance bonuses.

MLS players will also have the opportunity to share in the league’s media revenue for the first time. The new CBA calls for the league to increase player spending by an amount equal to 25% of the increased media revenue the league will see in its new media rights deals starting in 2023, plus $100 million. All of MLS’s current national and international media rights partnerships expire at the end of 2022, including all of local media rights deals.

Charter flights, which was a significant issue for the MLS player base, will also increase. Clubs will be required to use charter flights for at least eight games during the 2020 season, growing that number to 16 for the 2024 season. Previously, clubs could travel charter up to four legs per season, but were not required. Charter travel will also be used for all MLS playoff matches, and Concacaf Champions League matches involving international travel.

The league is also continuing to allow clubs to sign three designated players in the CBA, and will be expanding eligibility for free agency to include players who are 24 years or older and have five years of service in MLS. That both lowers the age and term from the previous CBA.

“Players have secured an agreement that will substantially change what it means to be an MLS player,” Bob Foose, executive director of the MLSPA, said in a statement. “Over the past two years, we have engaged in a substantive, comprehensive negotiation process with the league. We believe that the sweeping changes and increased investment in this agreement will not only be integral to the league’s continued growth, but will also move MLS closer to the systems in place in overseas leagues with which we aspire to compete.”

This story will be updated.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Lloyd Howell

Scandal-Ridden NFLPA Chief Lloyd Howell Quits

The union executive director stepped down late Thursday night.
Breanna Stewart

WNBA Players Call League Proposal For Fixed Salary Cap Inadequate  

The league’s collective bargaining agreement expires in less than four months.
Rob Manfred, Commissioner of the MLB, speaks to the media during Cactus League media day at the Arizona Biltmore on Feb. 18, 2025, in Phoenix.

Manfred, MLB Owners Pitch Directly to Players Ahead of CBA Expiration

Owners see a disconnect between union leadership and individual players.
Leo Messi

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
FIFA

Saudis Awarded 2034 World Cup in Uncontested Vote

Saudi Arabia was the only option after Australia decided not to bid.
May 20, 2024

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (May 2024)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
The stands at the Solheim Cup
September 13, 2024

LPGA Apologizes for Solheim Cup Fan Bus Debacle That Left Stands Half-Empty

The USA-Europe women’s team golf event teed off Friday morning.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid’s president believes that soccer is losing ground.
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.