MLS Proposes A Masterclass in Bonus Negotiation
In the latest episode of “As the MLS Turns,” Major League Soccer has graciously submitted a tantalizing new proposal to its player base, promising to distribute bonuses for the upcoming Club World Cup like candy at a school fair. A source, who clearly needs to invest in better secret-keeping, revealed this to the Guardian.
According to this leak, MLS thinks players should receive a meager 20% cut of performance-based prize money at each tournament stage. And here’s the kicker: there’s no cap on maximum payout. Imagine that! Each MLS team lucky enough to walk a tightrope into the tournament can now look forward to a collective warm, fuzzy feeling of $200,000 for a group stage draw—out of a luxurious total of $1 million, mind you. It’s basically Monopoly money.
In contrast, the players previously basked in an arrangement under their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that generously capped their piece of participation pie to a mere $1 million. With the Club World Cup rolling in with a participation prize of $9.5 million, players had efficiently reached their maximum payout limit, which—in classic “how to win friends and influence players” style—meant they would earn nothing more for advancing. Talk about a fantastic way to boost morale!
Under this new plan, if an MLS team were to miraculously win the Club World Cup, the players could be in line for a jaw-dropping reward up to $24.5 million. But don’t get too excited; should they lose every single match, they will still walk away with their trusty $1 million collective bonus. Because who doesn’t appreciate a reliable safety net?
The MLS Players’ Association (MLSPA), upon receiving this gleeful proposal, couldn’t help but note that the 20% payout is “below the international standard.” They also accused the league of attempting to “strong-arm” players into CBA waivers. It’s a classic case of “take the money and run”—if only they could run somewhere that pays better.
This whole bonus kerfuffle was already making waves, as the Seattle Sounders made headlines by donning T-shirts that stated, “Club World Cup Cash Grab” during warm-ups. If that’s not the most charming protest fashion statement, I don’t know what is. Meanwhile, the MLSPA echoed the players’ sentiments, stating the league had “failed to bring forward a reasonable proposal.” In the world of creative negotiations, there may be room for improvement.
Interestingly, the MLS had originally planned to unveil the 20% proposal on a separate day, presumably to create suspense. But eventually decided to drop it just before the weekend, because why not? The Club World Cup kicks off on June 16 across various glamorous American cities, with the Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami, and Los Angeles FC making their grand entrances into the economic extravaganza.
