USL Announces Tentative New CBA After Player Protests

The United Soccer League and its players association tentatively agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement after more than a year and a half of negotiations that included a federal mediator and on-field protests this season.

Players in the second-tier U.S. men’s league have been competing this spring under the terms of their old CBA that expired at the end of last year. Negotiations began in August 2024, and by March 2026, the two sides were still far apart on minimum compensation, health insurance, and NIL rights.

The USL and USLPA released a joint statement on Thursday night that they “have reached a tentative agreement on key terms” of the CBA, though more steps remain to cement the deal, including final ratification.

“This milestone represents a significant step forward for the league and its players, reflecting a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game and the advancement of professional standards,” the statement read.

The two sides did not divulge details of the tentative agreement. The USL and USLPA did not immediately respond to requests for interviews.

After players voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike in February, they have stood still for a minute at the start of some matches this season in protest. Players also wore shirts reading “Do you stand with the players, USSF?” before U.S. Open Cup matches.

Players wanted to establish league-wide professional standards with the new CBA. “The sentiment across the entire player pool is that that floor needs to rise significantly higher across the board,” USLPA president and Colorado Springs Switchbacks defender Duke Lacroix told Front Office Sports in March.

The USLPA continually posted about perceived areas of improvement on social media throughout the negotiations, most recently on Tuesday. The union recently posted about 20% of clubs not offering health insurance, pitch quality, and post-game meals.

On the league side, USL president of competition and administration Brett Luy told ESPN “we need a willing dance partner here.”

The new CBA will cover both the existing USL Championship and the planned USL Premier. The USL announced last year it would create in 2028 a new Division One tier, USL Premier, to sit above the USL Championship and current USL League One, and establish a system for promotion and relegation. USL League One has a separate agreement, according to Soccer America.

On Tuesday morning, MLS announced a private equity investment from the firm KKR into MLS Next Pro, its own league between its youth level (MLS Next) and first tier professional league. Most MLS Next Pro teams are affiliated with MLS clubs, though three are independent.

“This investment will help build and grow MLS Next Pro and reflects our ambition to expand into new markets, develop soccer-specific infrastructure, elevate the matchday experience, and deepen connections between our clubs and their communities,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a statement.

Kartik Krishnaiyer of Beyond The 90’, which covers soccer’s lower divisions, reported that some USL owners had been pushing toward an agreement on Wednesday, then “there was a bomb dropped in the room” on Thursday with the MLS Next Pro announcement.

“I think everybody sees the MLS Next Pro piece as a threat,” Krishnaiyer said.