Bonus Dispute at Club World Cup: MLS and Players in Negotiations
Conversations between MLS and the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) regarding the distribution of financial awards from the Club World Cup and player compensation are ongoing. So far, both parties have failed to reach an agreement on the terms in a recently revised section of the collective bargaining agreement.
Seattle Sounders FC players were the first to raise this issue, demonstrating in front of fans at Lumen Field on June 1st. They did so wearing t-shirts with the slogans “Club World Cash Grab” and “Fair Share Now.” The MLSPA issued an initial statement in support of the players’ actions, who are demanding a fair share of the prize money from the FIFA Club World Cup, obtained after the team qualified for the international tournament.
The original collective bargaining agreement stipulated that players would receive 50% of the money from external tournaments, capped at $1 million. A source close to the negotiations revealed that a revised MLS proposal committed to awarding players from the three participating teams 20% of performance-related payments for wins, draws, and advancing rounds.
Players would collectively receive $1 million for participation, in addition to money earned for wins, draws, or round qualification throughout the tournament. On the other hand, LAFC earned $250,000 in total for the victory against Club América in a playoff on May 31, securing their place in the tournament.
The MLSPA received the proposal on Friday. A source familiar with the discussions added that the MLSPA demanded a larger percentage, but has not yet formally responded to the league’s proposal.The timing, content, and nature of retaliation of the proposal send a clear message: MLS does not respect or value the players’ efforts regarding this tournament. Although not surprised, the players and the MLSPA are deeply disappointed by this message.
MLSPA
The organization added that MLS introduced a “final compensation of 20%, an amount that remains below the international standard” and “did not add a single dollar for the players from the $28,650,000 that MLS will receive from FIFA.” According to the MLSPA, “the players’ share of that amount remains barely 10%.”
The two parties have not yet agreed on new terms, so the current collective agreement remains the standard.
A work stoppage by MLS players due to the bonus dispute is not possible due to the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. Under the current agreement, players have agreed not to strike over issues that fall within the scope of the agreement. However, they still have the right to engage in protected actions under federal labor law.
LAFC, Inter Miami CF, and Seattle Sounders will compete in the Club World Cup, which begins on Saturday and runs until July 13th.
