MLS avoids possible lockout as players ratify amended CBA

Major League Soccer players have voted to ratify an amended collective bargaining agreement after the league and the union avoided a potential lockout by striking a deal that runs through the 2027 season.

“MLS players have made incredible sacrifices and overcome considerable challenges in the past year to continue doing their jobs during a difficult time for all of us,” the Major League Soccer Players Association said in a statement Monday. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to our player leadership for continuing to guide us during these unprecedented times.”

The agreement reached Friday night gives the players their full salaries this season and extends the current CBA for two seasons. The union had proposed a one-year extension through 2026. Additional details about the deal were not immediately disclosed.

The league had invoked a force majeure clause in late December to reopen negotiations over the current CBA, citing ongoing uncertainty because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Major League Soccer has said it lost nearly $1 billion last season, due in part to the pandemic as teams played in mostly empty stadiums and with increased costs for testing and charter flights. The league said it expects similar losses this year.

The union and the league had two difficult negotiations last year — one in February before the start of the season and a second in June when players took a pay cut in order to resume the 2020 season.

The new agreement was also subject to approval by the MLS Board of Governors.

Major League Soccer had warned its teams to prepare for a lockout if a deal wasn’t struck.