Inside the MLS CBA numbers: Player salaries, team bonuses, more
Almost a year after signing a new deal to avoid a work stoppage, the MLS players union published the entire MLS collective bargaining agreement on its website on Thursday. Included in the 84-page longread are some pretty specific numbers regarding what MLS players earn–and can earn–based on winning games and competitions.
For starters, there's a vast difference in bonus money for teams winning MLS Cup and the CONCACAF Champions League, with domestic title winners earning $225,000 more than a potential regional champion from the league. Teams are also awarded $7,500 for each regular-season win, and the amount of money a team can earn for winning the Supporters' Shield will increase by almost 250% starting in 2017.
Those are just some of the details. The agreement, which lasts until January 31, 2020 also includes:
TEAM VICTORY BONUSES
• MLS Cup Champion: $275,000
• MLS Cup Runner-Up: $80,000
• Supporters’ Shield Winner: 2015–2016: $55,000 (in lieu of, not addition to, the Conference Champion bonus or Qualify for Playoffs bonus) | 2017–2019: $130,000 (in lieu of, not addition to, the Conference Champion bonus or Qualify for Playoffs bonus)
• Regular Season Conference Champion: $35,000 (in lieu of, not addition to, Qualify for Playoffs bonus)
• Qualify for Playoffs: $20,000 (non-Conference Champion and non-Supporters Shield Winner)
• Regular Season Game Winner: $7,500 (distributed on a monthly basis)
TOURNAMENT BONUSES
• U.S. Open Cup Champion: $250,000
• USOC Runner-Up: $60,000
• Canadian Championship Champion: $50,000
• CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Win: $3,000
• CCL Qualify for Group Stage: $40,000
• CCL Group Stage Win: $4,000
• CCL Team advances to quarterfinal: $35,000
• CCL Team advances to semifinal: $40,000
• CCL Team advances to final: $45,000
• CCL Team wins final: $50,000
PLAYER SALARY MINIMUMS
The senior player minimum salary will increase by $2,500 every season, and by $2,750 between 2018 and 2019:
2015: $60,000
2016: $62,500
2017: $65,000
2018: $67,500
2019: $70,250
The reserve player minimum salary will increase by $1,500 every season, and by $1,750 between 2018 and 2019. Reserve players also receive a $500 bonus for first-team appearances and $750 bonus for first-team starts:
2015: $50,000
2016: $51,500
2017: $53,000
2018: $54,500
2019: $56,250
ALLOCATIONS
Team who miss the playoffs receive $250,000 in allocation money.
Expansion teams receive $1.1 million in allocation money.
Teams competing in non-MLS competitions receive $200,000 in allocation money.
Team may use up to $650,000 of money accrued in a transfer or loan outside of MLS as allocation money.
POSSIBILITY OF A USA-MEXICO TOURNAMENT
The wording is vague, but it appears a potential tournament featuring USA and Mexico teams could be in the pipeline. From the CBA:
"US-Mexico Champions Cup (if played): MLS will pay the following bonuses which are not aggregate, unless prize money is awarded, in which case ... shall apply if it would result in a greater bonus:
• Team plays in Champions Cup: $100,000
• Team wins Champions Cup: $50,000
Other US-Mexico Tournament: If MLS creates a US-Mexico Non-Compulsory Tournament distinct from the US-Mexico Champions Cup, MLS will determine the bonus structure for such tournament after engaging in good faith negotiations with the Union."
