USL Collective Bargaining Agreement
The United Soccer League Players Association (USLPA) and the United Soccer League (USL) announced that they have ratified a first every Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Both USL Championship League and USL League One have new requirements in place to regulate how they treat their players.
This is groundbreaking. The CBA will lead to better protections for players at the lower-divisions in North American soccer. It will also ensure they have better working conditions.
USL Championship League
USL Championship League is the second highest league of Professional soccer in the United States. They are behind the MLS.
Minimum compensation for Championship players will be $2,700 a month from next season. This will include a combination of wages along with any housing, medical insurance and bonuses.
The salaries will increase by $150 for the 2023 season. They will be raised another $150 for the 2024 season and $200 for the 2025 season.
Six “flex contracts” will be awarded to each club. This will allow them to sign players at a lower compensation rate who they might not usually sign.
The plan includes a steady increase in salary over the next few years. Contract term limits have also been addressed. Previously some players were only signed for seven (7) month periods. The season will be considered February 1 – November 30th.
Another huge benefit to the players is that they will retain their free agency rights allowing them to change clubs at the end of their contractual term without penalty.
USL League One
A new Collective Bargaining Agreement has been entered into with the USL League One as well. USL League One is effectively the third division of soccer here in the states. It is below the USL Championship League.
Players in the USL League one will be guaranteed a minimum compensation of $2000 a month. This minimum salary will increase each year during the term of this agreement until it reaches $2500 a month by 2027.
Players will also have revised per diem rates and appearance expectations in their contracts.
The contract protects players who are being transferred from one USL League team to another without their consent. The Agreement ensures that the players will receive the same salary as they received in their original club, along with similar benefits.
Additionally, if a player is traded, transferred or even loaned between USL teams without their consent, they will be reimbursed for reasonable documented relocation expenses.
Adding these protections to USL contracts further legitimizes the league. It also may make US soccer appear more like a solid consideration for foreigners considering transfer to US teams.
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