The proposed salary cuts would impact the entirety of the MLSPA membershipGETTY IMAGES
The MLS Players Association "sent a counterproposal" to MLS regarding player salaries for the '20 season, with the union "confirming that the amount of economic relief would exceed" $100M, according to Jeff Carlisle of ESPN.com. Sources said that the proposal -- made over the weekend -- includes "salary reductions, salary deferrals and significant reduction of bonuses, as well as future relief due to the suspension in play related to the coronavirus pandemic." The concessions amount to "roughly a third of the league's total payroll" of about $310M. The cuts would "impact the entirety of the MLSPA membership." When these economic concessions "would go into effect is still to be determined." It was reported May 9 that MLS had "offered the players a 20% salary cut across the board for the remainder of the 2020 season, plus additional unspecified reductions in overall compensation." That offer was made after MLS "floated an offer of a 50% pay cut as it pertained to the entire 2020 payroll, with players under $100,000 not affected" (ESPN.com, 5/19).
CRITICAL JUNCTURE: In Salt Lake City, Alex Vejar notes the salary talks are "particularly important" given that the CBA, "tentatively passed before the season," has yet to be ratified. The MLSPA’s counteroffer "signals a desire on the players’ part to meet the league halfway after MLS, like many other sports leagues, has suffered deep financial losses due to the coronavirus pandemic" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 5/20).
