• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 6, 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

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.
Jun 24, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) controls the ball as Atlanta Dream guard Maya Caldwell (33) defends during the first half at College Park Center.

Paige Bueckers Eyes Expanded Season, ‘Rightful Pay’ in New CBA

“The respect, attention, the accessibility—you see everything growing.”

How the Celtics Cut $500M Roster Bill Nearly By Half in 1..

Boston is now under the second tax apron for next season.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
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

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
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.