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Changes Abundant in New MLS CBA
Things will be a bit different in the years to come for MLS.
Mar 20, 2010 2:49:00 PM
By Steven Streff
Although many minute details were not released in the press conference held by MLS announcing the new collective bargaining agreement, three major sticking points were ironed out between the league and the union. In addition to guaranteed contracts and increased player compensation, the league will now feature a re-entry draft, a solution to the player’s wish to have free agency.
Exact numbers on the player compensation were not released as of yet, but Bob Foose, Executive Director of the MLS players Union, indicated that player salaries would be increased, significantly.
“Player compensation will be increased substantially, which is obviously significant, especially in these difficult economic times,” stated Foose in a conference call today.
It remains to be seen whether that also means a significant increase in the overall salary cap as well. Presumably, the number of roster spots for each time will remain the same – meaning an increase in the overall salary cap.
At the press conference, MLS also announced that contracts of certain players would be guaranteed. “A majority of players for the first time in MLS history will have guaranteed contracts,” stated Foose.
As it stands now, players cut from a MLS roster by a certain date would not receive the rest of the salary for the year. However, under the new agreement, players who have played for a certain amount of time – to be announced later – will have their contracts guaranteed throughout the entire season.
The biggest change to the CBA came with the announcement of the re-entry draft, which seems to be the big compromise between the union and the league. However, Commissioner Don Garber made it known that the agreement did not include free agency at all.
“Players will have greater rights at the expiration of their agreements, but they will not be free agents within the league,” Garber stated during the teleconference.
“Players who are out of contract, whether their options have not been renewed or terminated, or players who are out of contract at a certain age will go into this re-entry draft,” said Garber.
Although he could provide little details as to the “meat and bones” of the process, Garber gave a quick synopsis of what the re-entry draft would entail.
“[It] will take place sometime after the season, and rather than having this floating waiver process, they [the players] will in essence go through this re-entry draft. It will give us the opportunity to have a very exciting and unique system where teams can select those players who are out of contract.”
Continue checking Goal.com for more information as MLS releases it regarding the finer details of the new collective bargaining agreement.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page!
Exact numbers on the player compensation were not released as of yet, but Bob Foose, Executive Director of the MLS players Union, indicated that player salaries would be increased, significantly.
“Player compensation will be increased substantially, which is obviously significant, especially in these difficult economic times,” stated Foose in a conference call today.
It remains to be seen whether that also means a significant increase in the overall salary cap as well. Presumably, the number of roster spots for each time will remain the same – meaning an increase in the overall salary cap.
At the press conference, MLS also announced that contracts of certain players would be guaranteed. “A majority of players for the first time in MLS history will have guaranteed contracts,” stated Foose.
As it stands now, players cut from a MLS roster by a certain date would not receive the rest of the salary for the year. However, under the new agreement, players who have played for a certain amount of time – to be announced later – will have their contracts guaranteed throughout the entire season.
The biggest change to the CBA came with the announcement of the re-entry draft, which seems to be the big compromise between the union and the league. However, Commissioner Don Garber made it known that the agreement did not include free agency at all.
“Players will have greater rights at the expiration of their agreements, but they will not be free agents within the league,” Garber stated during the teleconference.
“Players who are out of contract, whether their options have not been renewed or terminated, or players who are out of contract at a certain age will go into this re-entry draft,” said Garber.
Although he could provide little details as to the “meat and bones” of the process, Garber gave a quick synopsis of what the re-entry draft would entail.
“[It] will take place sometime after the season, and rather than having this floating waiver process, they [the players] will in essence go through this re-entry draft. It will give us the opportunity to have a very exciting and unique system where teams can select those players who are out of contract.”
Continue checking Goal.com for more information as MLS releases it regarding the finer details of the new collective bargaining agreement.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page!
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