Now that the 2010 Major League Soccer season will start on time Thursday following passage of a new five-year collective bargaining agreement with their Players Union, MLS officials Tuesday released some of the key elements of the new deal, reached in Washington, DC.
Terms Of The Agreement
It officially takes effect Thursday and runs through January 31, 2014.
Guaranteed Contracts
All players who are at least 24 and have been in the league for three seasons can now earn guaranteed contracts.
Players' Salaries And Salary Cap
The per-team salary cap grows for $2.315 million in 2009 to $2.55 million, an increase of 10.15 percent, with annual increases of five percent.
The minimum salary for senior roster players grows from $34,000 in 2009 to $40,000 in 2010, an increase of 17.64 percent, with annual increases also of five percent.
For players who made less than $125,000, the minimum increase in base salary will be 10 percent for those who play in at least two-thirds of their club's games and 12.5 percent for those who play in at least three-quarters of their club's games.
Player Movement
While MLS players did not gain the free agent policies they wanted, MLS will establish a "re-entry draft" for players who are out of contract.
Those eligible for this draft and their terms will be:
- Players at least age 23 with three years of league service and whose option is not exercised will be made available to all clubs at their option salary.
- Players at least age 22 with one year of service and who are asked to take a pay cut after their contract is terminated will be made available to all teams at current salary.
- Players at least age 30 with eight years of service and whose contract has expired will be made available to all clubs at a salary equal to 150 percent of their last salary, unless his current team makes a qualified offer of at least 105 percent of his last salary.
- Players at least age 25 with four or more years of service and whose contract has expired will be made available to all clubs at a salary equal to their final year contract salary, unless his current team offers him a base salary of at least as much as the base salary paid in the last year of the old contract.
Option Years In Player Contracts
Players at least 25 with four years of MLS service will be allowed to have no more than two option years placed in a contract.
All other players will be allowed to have no more than three options years placed in a contract.
Player Benefits
All players will gain a package of benefits including increases in 401K contributions from the league, appearance fees, increased per diem when traveling and reimbursement of relocation expenses, and full health care benefits for players and their families at no cost.
Bonuses
The new CBA includes a package of bonuses for wins in league games and international tournaments as well as appearance fees for taking part in international exhibition games.
Reserve Division
MLS and the Players Union will create a committee to study the possible re-launch of the Reserve Division, which ended after the 2008 season.
If rosters are expanded to create RD teams again, those who play on those teams will earn a minimum salary of $31,250 with additional annual increases.
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