MLS Players’ Association and the league managed to reach a deal that addresses economic issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic and might also save the 2020 MLS season.

MLS and MLSPA were engaged in negotiations over the past several weeks but saw significant difficulties in getting on the same page. At one point, the league reportedly even threatened to impose a lockout if players don’t accept its terms.

After further talks, however, MLSPA ended up voting to approve the league’s proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement. The new CBA will impose several measures in an attempt to minimize the unexpected economic difficulties like 7.5% pay cuts across the leagues and several caps including having individual and performance bonuses limited to $5 million in 2020.

The majority of the terms from old CBA, which was agreed upon back in February but was never ratified, are still expected to be in effect starting with a one year delay. The length of the CBA is also extended until 2026.

The positive outcome of the MLS Players’ Association voting simultaneously paved the way for the 2020 season resume. The first step will be a tournament that will take place at Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. The teams are expected to make the trip in three weeks, although the exact start date is still to be announced.

“MLS Players today ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, which will run through the 2025 season,” said the MLSPA in a statement. “Today’s vote also finalizes a plan to resume the 2020 season and provides players with certainty for the months ahead. It allows our members to move forward and continue to compete in the game they love.”

The post MLS and Players Association Agree to a New CBA and Plan for the 2020 Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

While it has fallen into a bit of a shadow behind the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball over the past couple of months, Major League Soccer is another American sports league that has had its season put on hold thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The MLS, whose season began on February 29th, was only able to complete two matches before the suspension of the league in mid-March. It looks to be a virtual impossibility that the league will be completed with anything resembling its normal format.

However, MLS is reportedly sent to present an alternative idea to players and owners that could see them all convene in Orlando, Florida this summer for an all-inclusive tournament that would look to model the World Cup.

Florida, which was declared “open” for professional sports on May 13th, would serve as the base for all teams and players during the event. Games would take place at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex and would be held without fans.

An initial group stage would give way to a knockout tournament whose champion would be crowned as a sort of “winner” of the 2020 season, which will almost certainly not take place with a normal format or number of games.

Teams will also reportedly all congregate in Florida for a preseason training camp before the beginning of games in late June.

The post MLS Reportedly Planning Summer Tournament in Orlando appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Major League Soccer won’t return at least until May 10^th. This was the decision made by the league on Thursday as part of the measures to cope with the current coronavirus outbreak.

MLS was forced to suspend the season after just two games due to coronavirus. The plan was initially to pause all activities until March 30^th, but it became obvious in recent days that this was an unrealistic deadline. The league determined that a prolonged suspension is necessary and made the decision at a recent video conference.

The league reiterated that the plan is to play the 2020 season in full, even if that means prolonging the MLS Cup towards the end of the year.

“MLS remains focused on playing the entire 2020 season and is evaluating all options, including pushing back the end of the season and playing MLS Cup in December, as the league did prior to the 2019 season. The league is also identifying other available dates,” said the league in a statement.

Most soccer leagues around the world suspended their activities due to coronavirus as well. Currently, the only prominent soccer competition still underway is Turkey, where matches are being played without an audience.   

The post MLS Extends Season Suspension to May 10th appeared first on SportzBonanza.

MLS Players’ Association and the league managed to reach a deal that addresses economic issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic and might also save the 2020 MLS season.

MLS and MLSPA were engaged in negotiations over the past several weeks but saw significant difficulties in getting on the same page. At one point, the league reportedly even threatened to impose a lockout if players don’t accept its terms.

After further talks, however, MLSPA ended up voting to approve the league’s proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement. The new CBA will impose several measures in an attempt to minimize the unexpected economic difficulties like 7.5% pay cuts across the leagues and several caps including having individual and performance bonuses limited to $5 million in 2020.

The majority of the terms from old CBA, which was agreed upon back in February but was never ratified, are still expected to be in effect starting with a one year delay. The length of the CBA is also extended until 2026.

The positive outcome of the MLS Players’ Association voting simultaneously paved the way for the 2020 season resume. The first step will be a tournament that will take place at Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. The teams are expected to make the trip in three weeks, although the exact start date is still to be announced.

“MLS Players today ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, which will run through the 2025 season,” said the MLSPA in a statement. “Today’s vote also finalizes a plan to resume the 2020 season and provides players with certainty for the months ahead. It allows our members to move forward and continue to compete in the game they love.”

The post MLS and Players Association Agree to a New CBA and Plan for the 2020 Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

While it has fallen into a bit of a shadow behind the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball over the past couple of months, Major League Soccer is another American sports league that has had its season put on hold thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The MLS, whose season began on February 29th, was only able to complete two matches before the suspension of the league in mid-March. It looks to be a virtual impossibility that the league will be completed with anything resembling its normal format.

However, MLS is reportedly sent to present an alternative idea to players and owners that could see them all convene in Orlando, Florida this summer for an all-inclusive tournament that would look to model the World Cup.

Florida, which was declared “open” for professional sports on May 13th, would serve as the base for all teams and players during the event. Games would take place at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex and would be held without fans.

An initial group stage would give way to a knockout tournament whose champion would be crowned as a sort of “winner” of the 2020 season, which will almost certainly not take place with a normal format or number of games.

Teams will also reportedly all congregate in Florida for a preseason training camp before the beginning of games in late June.

The post MLS Reportedly Planning Summer Tournament in Orlando appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Major League Soccer won’t return at least until May 10^th. This was the decision made by the league on Thursday as part of the measures to cope with the current coronavirus outbreak.

MLS was forced to suspend the season after just two games due to coronavirus. The plan was initially to pause all activities until March 30^th, but it became obvious in recent days that this was an unrealistic deadline. The league determined that a prolonged suspension is necessary and made the decision at a recent video conference.

The league reiterated that the plan is to play the 2020 season in full, even if that means prolonging the MLS Cup towards the end of the year.

“MLS remains focused on playing the entire 2020 season and is evaluating all options, including pushing back the end of the season and playing MLS Cup in December, as the league did prior to the 2019 season. The league is also identifying other available dates,” said the league in a statement.

Most soccer leagues around the world suspended their activities due to coronavirus as well. Currently, the only prominent soccer competition still underway is Turkey, where matches are being played without an audience.   

The post MLS Extends Season Suspension to May 10th appeared first on SportzBonanza.