The MLS league office underwent a 20% reduction of its workforce on Thursday between the elimination of staffers' roles and open headcounts not being filled, according to a source. That equates to nearly 70 people. The source said most departments were impacted by the reductions. MLS Commissioner Don Garber informed staffers of the news Thursday afternoon, according to the source. The lone open position at MLS HQ is Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Game day revenues for the league are down 95% in '20 compared to '19 due to limited spectators. With full-capacity venues still months away as well as a bleak outlook for '21, the league made the decision to reduce staffing size, the source said. Those laid off will be provided a severance package and a few months of COBRA insurance. Additionally, tiered pay reductions for league staff, which began on April 16, are still in effect, the source said. Entry-level people are not included (Mark J. Burns, THE DAILY).
LEAGUE-WIDE ISSUES: In N.Y., Kevin Draper reports "most departments were affected," and the layoffs "included a number of high-ranking executives." Some individual MLS teams already have "instituted pay cuts, furloughs and layoffs of their own, as have a number of teams in other sports." But MLS still relies "much more heavily on game-day revenue, and particularly live attendance, than other professional leagues" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/20).
