• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 29, 2025

The MLS Is Starting Its Season With Replacement Refs—Here’s Why

  • The soccer referees’ union rejected a tentative CBA and no-lockout agreement.
  • The managing referee organization will use replacement refs to start the season.
MLS refs
Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports

As the MLS season kicks off Wednesday, it will do so with replacement referees.

The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) is the union for MLS, NWSL, and USL refs. Its members rejected a new tentative collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Referee Organization (PRO), which oversees officiating for U.S. and Canadian leagues. The PRO then locked out PSRA refs and found replacements for them.

The PSRA announced Saturday it held a vote with almost all its eligible members, and 95.8% responded “no” to the new CBA. Leadership said it thinks the vote stems from “PRO’s economic package” not meeting expectations and “a lack of quality of life improvements,” including traveling and scheduling, per the announcement. The union warned that replacing its refs could have a “substantial impact” on the upcoming MLS season, saying that’s what happened when PRO replaced them at the start of the 2014 MLS campaign.

PRO laid out key points of the rejected five-year CBA, including pay increases, first or business-class plane rides for the playoffs, MLS Cup, and Decision Day; physical therapy and some contributions for health care; increased severance; and improved injured pay. The organization said the PSRA also rejected its “no strike/no lockout proposal,” meaning union refs cannot work during ongoing negotiations.

The MLS released a statement saying the CBA would’ve made PRO members some of the highest-paid soccer match officials globally. The league’s EVP of sporting product and competition Nelson Rodríguez called the PSRA’s vote “extremely disappointing” and said of the stand-in ref plan: “We are confident in the comprehensive plan [PRO has] put in place.” He also said the rejection of the no strike/no lockout proposal is “unfortunate.”

The previous CBA expired Jan. 15, with extensions ending Feb. 12. That agreement had first been ratified in February 2019.

The lockout began at 12 a.m. ET on Sunday. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami squad will host Real Salt Lake at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday to start the 2024 season.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

breaking

FS1 Exec Charlie Dixon Gone From Fox Sports

Dixon was named in two separate lawsuits in January.
Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq Taking GM Role at Sacramento State

The news comes amid the school’s push for FBS status.
Trump
exclusive

Giants Say Team Had ‘No Conversations’ With Trump About Saquon Barkley

Trump said he told the Giants not to let Saquon leave.
blue clay tennis court

Power Outage Halts Madrid Open Tennis Tournament

The major outage across Spain and Portugal suspended Monday’s matches.

Featured Today

Jun 21, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck holds the Larry O’Brien trophy prior to the Boston Celtics championship parade.

The Celtics Succession Plan Remains Murky

The transfer of power to a private-equity group is still unresolved.
April 26, 2025

The Rays Groundskeepers Are Adjusting to Life Outside the Dome

After nearly three decades in a dome, Tampa groundskeepers were forced outside.
April 25, 2025

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.

NFL Shifts Spotlight to Schedule Release, 2027 Draft Host Cities

Final preparations are underway for revealing the 2025 schedule.
April 26, 2025

The Fall to Fifth: Browns End NFL Draft Drama for Shedeur Sanders

The Colorado quarterback’s free fall is over.
April 27, 2025

Green Bay NFL Draft Drew Huge Crowds As Well As TV Ratings

The final turnout smashed projections from the Packers and Green Bay officials.
Sponsored

Fighting for Clarity: Inside UFC’s New Partnership With Total Wireless

UFC teams with Total Wireless in a no-frills partnership built for today’s mobile-first, value-driven fanbase.
April 25, 2025

Five QBs Drafted As Shedeur Sanders Slips to Fourth Round

Shedeur Sanders is still waiting after slipping out of the first round.
April 25, 2025

Ohio State’s $20M Roster Sends 7 Players to NFL in First Two..

The NIL-fueled title team had more draftees than all of the Big 12.
April 25, 2025

Trump Defends Sanders After Snub: ‘What Is Wrong With NFL Owners?’

He said Shedeur Sanders has “phenomenal genes” and asked if owners are “stupid.”
April 25, 2025

NFL Draft Attendance in Green Bay Easily Tops Early Projections

Round 1 drew 205,000 fans in and around Lambeau Field.