This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we’ve covered all 65 of our affiliates. Next up is the Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA).
Name of Union: Major League Soccer Players Association
Mission: We empower the players by establishing a supportive community and unified voice that positively impacts the lives of our past, current and future members.
Current Leadership of Union: The players on each team vote by secret ballot to elect a player representative, and those player representatives elect a nine-player executive board. The current executive board includes Alex Bono, Earl Edwards Jr., Cristian Espinoza, Matt Freese, Mark-Anthony Kaye, JT Marcinkowski, Eric Miller, Paxton Pomykal and Dayne St. Clair.
The daily operations of the association are run by Executive Director Bob Foose, who has filled this role since the association’s formation in 2003. During his tenure, the association has successfully negotiated four collective bargaining agreements, substantially broadening player rights and compensation with the establishment and expansion of overall league salary spends, minimum salaries, bonuses, free agency, retirement benefits, a grievance and arbitration system, group licensing, and the protection of player rights under the workers’ compensation system. During this time, the budget and staff of the association have more than quadrupled and the association has maintained near 100% membership among MLS players.
Current Number of Members: More than 800
Members Work As: Professional soccer players
Industries Represented: Men’s professional soccer
History: On April 17, 2003, the MLS Players Union was recognized as the exclusive collective bargaining representative of all MLS players, becoming the first labor organization formed by MLS players. On Dec. 1, 2004, the union and MLS signed the first collective bargaining agreement in MLS. The agreement raised the minimum salary, increased incentive bonuses, guaranteed fully paid health insurance for all players, created the first grievance and arbitration system in MLS, and created a 401(k) plan for players. On March 20, 2010, the union and MLS agreed to terms on a second collective bargaining agreement. This agreement significantly increased the number of players with guaranteed contracts, limited the number of options in players’ contracts, increased all economic terms, created new benefits for players, and increased player rights to move within the league by creating the reentry draft.
From Dec. 8–15, 2010, for the first time in MLS history, players had leverage to negotiate fair terms with their current teams when their contracts expired and had the ability to move within the league if they chose to do so through the reentry draft. On March 4, 2015, the union and MLS agreed to terms on a third collective bargaining agreement. Under this agreement, restricted free agency was introduced for the first time in league history. Players who were 28 with at least eight years of MLS for the first time could choose which team within MLS to play for when signing a new contract. In addition, the number of players with guaranteed contracts increased, and all economic terms increased. On Dec. 14, 2015, the first free agent in MLS history, Justin Mapp, signed the first free agent contract in MLS history with Sporting Kansas City. On Dec. 14, 2017, the MLS Players Union changed its name to the MLS Players Association and launched a full rebranding.
On Feb. 6, 2020, the union and MLS agreed to the fourth collective bargaining agreement in MLSPA history. This historic deal dramatically increased free agency rights and more than doubled the number of eligible players. The agreement steadily increases salary budgets and player compensation, with the average salary reaching over $500,000 and the senior minimum salary over $100,000 by the end of the deal.
Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The MLSPA provides health and safety resources for both current and former players. Additionally, the MLSPA offers a host of other programs for players and provides a player salary guide. The Player Programs department also hosts biweekly Career Conversations with current and former players to highlight and encourage off-field pursuits. The players association works closely with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to bring mini-pitches to local communities to ensure safe places to play are available to all.