Don Garber, Other Top Execs At MLS Taking Pay Cuts

MLS is decreasing salaries at its N.Y. HQ for a majority of its roughly 300 full-time employees, THE DAILY has learned. A source with knowledge of the situation said the salary cuts are a response to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact financially. This person said that there is a tiered structure in place for the salary cuts, all of which begin on April 16. Commissioner Don Garber, along with Deputy Commissioners Mark Abbott and Gary Stevenson, are all taking 25% pay cuts, the source said. Those employees in managerial-type roles will take a 20% cut, followed by most others taking a 10% reduction.

Entry-level employees -- of which there are “a few dozen,” according to the source -- will not have their salaries decreased. The source cited sensitivities to the cost of living in N.Y. and the surrounding areas. Due to the salary cuts and hiring freeze, which MLS has temporarily implemented, the league does not plan to furlough any staff, at least at this present time, the source said.