MLS Will Not Strike As Agreement Is Reached
- Updated: March 5, 2015
(Photo via @thejohanncastro)
The news emerged last night that the MLS will not go on strike following the conflict between them and the players’ union. This marks the first potential work stoppage in league history. The agreement was reached over terms regarding a new collective bargaining deal as well as compromises on free agency.
The MLS released the following statement on the issue (via MLS.com)
“We are pleased to finalize the framework for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with our players,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber.
The deal will be in place for five years and will allow the regular season to begin on time. The LA Galaxy will kick things off for the league as they take on the Chicago Fire on Friday.
One of the biggest differences between the two organizations is their stance on free agency. The league are insistent on keeping any raise for a free agent at 10 percent. This has been remedied by proposing a tiered system, according to a source close to discussions. MLS.com reports it as the following:
Players making over $200,000 will be limited to a 15 percent increase from their previous contract. Players whose salary falls between $100,000 and $200,000 will be eligible for a 20 percent raise, while those players making $100,000 or less will be able to garner a 25 percent raise.
The minimum salary is now $60,000, which amounts to a 64 percent increase over the previous minimum of $36,500.”
Both sides have been consumed by negotiations this week, with talks concluding late Tuesday night and continuing early Wednesday morning.
A source close to the situation sheds some light on the details of the deal. As reported by MLS.com, “the CBA contains the first provision for limited free agency in the league’s history, with players who are at least 28 years old and with at least eight years of experience eligible to pick what team they play for when their contract expires.”
The MLS Commissioner also spoke to ESPN’s SportsCenter:
“Our owners will have stability and will have a system that will allow them to continue to invest very smartly and strategically so that we can continue to try to build this league into one of the great soccer leagues in the world.”
Garber told SportsCenter that free agency “gives players the opportunity to have a bit more choice, to pick the markets at a certain age that they might want to play in, to be able to make a bit more money than they were able to make in the previous system.”
Bob Foose, executive director of the MLS Players Union, also spoke about the avoidance of a strike. He said the following in a statement:
“We are pleased to finally turn our fans attention back to our players and the competition on the field as we get started on the 2015 season.”
We are very glad to hear that we will not have to wait to watch our beloved LA Galaxy! Let’s get a win on Friday!
Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things LA Galaxy and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, all the time!
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