MLS and the MLSPA this morning reached an "agreement in principle" on a new, five-year CBA that runs through the '24 season, according to Brian Straus of SI.com. The deal still will "need to be formally approved by the league and union, but progress was sufficient to prompt" comment from Commissioner Don Garber. He said the deal "addresses key strategic priorities for the league and our players," and will "serve as the foundation for a new era of partnership." Straus notes the key points of the deal include "increased player salary spending, expanded free agency and more charter travel, all of which were priorities for the players." Some "new wrinkles include the players being given a share of media rights starting with the new deal" in '23, and an "emphasis on signing younger players at a reduced salary budget charge, which is a component that is still being fleshed out." Other details include expanding the free agency program, for which the union "seemed to sacrifice substantial dollars last time," and clubs once again being able to "sign up to three Designated Players" (SI.com, 2/6).
DEAL POINTS: PRO SOCCER USA's Julia Poe notes the new agreement was reached "almost a full month" before this season, offering an "earlier resolution than the past two CBA negotiations." Conversations between the two sides "began two years before the deadline." Sources said that those conversations "allowed better collaboration and an improved relationship between the two parties." The new CBA raises the "total spending power of every club" from $8.49M in '19 to $11.64M in '24. Under the deal, clubs will be "required to use charter flights for eight legs of travel" in '20, a number that will "increase to 16 legs" by the '24 season. Clubs also will be "required to charter flights for the MLS Cup playoffs and for any Concacaf Champions League matches that require international travel." Starting in '23, a portion of MLS' new media agreements "will be funneled into clubs' player spending." In the '23 and '24 seasons, MLS will "increase league-wide player spending" by $100M (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 2/6).
