MLS Players Association

Labor union of Major League Soccer players

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "MLS Players Association" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

MLSPA

Founded| April 17, 2003 (2003-04-17)
Headquarters| 7500 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Maryland
Location|

* United States
Canada

Key people

| Bob Foose, Executive Director
Affiliations| FIFPro (full member)
Website| www.mlsplayers.org

The MLS Players Association (MLSPA) is the union of professional Major League Soccer players. The MLS Players Association serves as the exclusive collective bargaining agreements representative for all current players in MLS.[1]

## History

[edit]

The MLS Players Association (formerly MLS Players Union)[2] was formed in April 2003 after the conclusion of Fraser v. Major League Soccer. The founding members of the MLSPA Executive Board included Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Chris Klein, Alexi Lalas, and Ben Olsen. Prior to the CBA, players received no form of retirement benefits, and many players lacked basic health insurance.[citation needed] On December 14, 2017, the MLS Players Union changed its name to the MLS Players Association and launched a full re-branding campaign.[3]

## Collective bargaining agreements

[edit]

### First CBA (2005)

[edit]

After negotiating with MLS in 2003 and 2004, on December 1, 2004, the Players Association and MLS signed the first-ever collective bargaining agreement (CBA) covering MLS players for the 2005 season to the 2009 season inclusively. Among other things, the CBA increased minimum salaries, established a 401(k) plan with guaranteed contributions from MLS, and guaranteed[3] that all players and their families will be provided with 100% fully paid health insurance benefits. In addition, the CBA provides for an independent arbitrator to hear disputes between MLS and the players. MLS and the Players Association also negotiated a substance abuse policy covering all players in the league, as well as a Group License Agreement.

### 2010 CBA

[edit]

The collective bargaining agreement ran through the 2009 season and in January 2010 the Major League Soccer players threatened to go on strike.[4][5] The union had voted in favor of a strike if a new deal was not reached before the beginning of the season.[6] The labor agreement expired on January 31, 2010. Progress had been reported in negotiations with the Players Association, with the major issues reportedly player transfer and guaranteed contracts. The Players Association had accused MLS of failing to abide by international regulations set down by governing body FIFA, but the league denied the charge.[citation needed] FIFA said they would not intervene in a labor dispute.[7] The MLSPA advised players to report to camp as planned. Reports had been conflicting about the actual possibility of a work stoppage. Both sides agreed to extend talks to February 12, and then extended then again to February 25, 2010.

On March 20, 2010, MLS and MLSPA signed a new 5-year agreement commencing with the 2010 season and continuing through January 31, 2015.[8]

### 2015 CBA

[edit]

On March 4, 2015, the MLS and MLSPA agree to terms on a third Collective Bargaining Agreement for a duration of 5 years.[3]

* New restricted free agency.
* New free agency rules: Players need to be 28 years old and with at least 8 years of MLS experience.
* Number of players with guaranteed contracts increases.

### 2020 CBA

[edit]

On February 6, 2020, a new 5 year Collective Bargaining Agreement was struck between the MLS and the MLSPA.[9]

* 1.9 billion investment in new deal.
* Expanded free agency rules: Players need to be 24 years old and with at least 5 years of MLS experience.
* Annual increase in mandatory charter flight for the players.
* 55 million in performance based bonuses.
* 55% increase in senior salaries.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "MLS Players Association submits summer tournament, CBA proposal to MLS | MLSsoccer.com".
2. ^ "MLS Players Association Announces Rebrand".
3. ^ a b c "The History of the MLSPA". MLS Players Association. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
4. ^ "Is an MLS lockout possible?". Fox Sports. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
5. ^ "Can MLS players 'afford' to strike?". Fox Sports. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
6. ^ Booth, Tim (March 12, 2010). "MLS players say they're unified in labor talks". Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
7. ^ "FIFA won't intervene in MLS labor dispute". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
8. ^ "CBA agreement reached by MLS and MLSPU". The Crew. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
9. ^ "2020-2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement". mlsplayers.org. February 22, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Major League Soccer Players Association at FIFPRO World Players' Union

* v
* t
* e

Major League Soccer

* Seasons
* 2025 season
* Records and statistics
* 400 or more appearances
* 100 or more goals
* Hat-tricks
* Players Association
* Rivalry cups
* History
* Timeline
* Expansion
* U.S. Soccer
* Canada Soccer

Eastern Conference|

* Atlanta United FC
* Charlotte FC
* Chicago Fire FC
* FC Cincinnati
* Columbus Crew
* D.C. United
* Inter Miami CF
* CF Montréal
* Nashville SC
* New England Revolution
* New York City FC
* New York Red Bulls
* Orlando City SC
* Philadelphia Union
* Toronto FC

Western Conference|

* Austin FC
* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo FC
* LA Galaxy
* Los Angeles FC
* Minnesota United FC
* Portland Timbers
* Real Salt Lake
* San Diego FC
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
* Sporting Kansas City
* St. Louis City SC
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Former teams|

* Tampa Bay Mutiny (1996–2001)
* Miami Fusion (1998–2001)
* Chivas USA (2005–2014)

Personnel|

* Foreign players
* National team players
* International slots
* Designated Players
* Homegrown Players
* Generation Adidas Cup
* Current season transfers
* Coaches
* Owners
* Professional Referee Organization
* Professional Soccer Referees Association

Competition|

* MLS Cup
* Playoffs
* Finals
* Trophy
* Supporters' Shield
* SuperDraft
* Stadiums
* Attendance
* Television
* Broadcasters
* All-Star Game
* MLS Cup

Associated
competitions|

* All-Star Game
* MLS Next
* CONCACAF Champions Cup
* Campeones Cup
* Leagues Cup
* U.S. Open Cup
* Canadian Championship
* Reserve League
* eMLS Cup
* MLS is Back Tournament
* MLS Next
* MLS Next Pro

Other|

* Generation Adidas
* Performance in Champions Cup
* Hall of Fame
* Valuations
* Central Division (2000–2001)
* Fraser v. Major League Soccer (2002)

* Category
* Portal
* Multimedia

* v
* t
* e

North American major league sports player associations

* Canadian Football League
* Major & Minor League Baseball
* Major League Soccer
* National Basketball Association
* National Football League
* National Hockey League
* National Women's Soccer League
* Professional Women's Hockey League
* United Football League

* v
* t
* e

Members of FIFPRO World Players' Union

Full members|

* Argentina [es]
* Australia
* Austria [de]
* Belgium
* Bolivia
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Botswana
* Bulgaria
* Cameroon
* Chile [es]
* Colombia
* Congo, Democratic Republic of
* Costa Rica
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czechia (Czech Republic)
* Denmark
* Egypt
* England
* Finland [fi]
* France
* Gabon
* Ghana
* Greece
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Hungary [hu]
* Indonesia
* India
* Ireland
* Israel
* Italy
* Japan
* Kenya
* Korea, Republic of (South Korea)
* Malaysia
* Malta
* Mexico
* Montenegro
* Morocco [fr]
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* North Macedonia
* Norway
* Panama
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Poland [pl]
* Portugal
* Qatar
* Romania
* Scotland
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* South Africa
* Spain
* Sweden [sv; de]
* Switzerland
* Türkiye (Turkey) [tr]
* Ukraine
* United States
* Uruguay [es]
* Venezuela
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

Candidate members|

* Canada
* Iceland
* Kyrgyzstan
* Uzbekistan

Also see: FIFPRO § Members
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template