Good news for Inter Miami: more charter flights in new Major League Soccer CBA
Inter Miami players woke up to good news on Thursday.
Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association announced they had reached an agreement on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement; and part of that agreement is a substantial increase in charter flights.
Clubs will be required to use charter flights for at least eight legs of travel during the 2020 regular season, growing to 16 legs for the 2024 season. In addition, teams will be required to use charter air travel for MLS Cup Playoff matches and CONCACAF Champions League games involving international travel.
Because of its location, Miami will have to travel longer distances than most teams, beginning with its inaugural game on the road at Los Angeles FC on Mar. 1.
The CBA, which will run through the 2024 season, is subject to the approval of the MLS Board of Governors and the membership of the MLSPA, whose executive board includes Inter Miami goalkeeper Luis Robles.
Key items in the agreement include increased investment in player compensation; greater flexibility for clubs to use allocated money across their rosters; players earning a share of MLS’ new media rights deals; and expanded free agency.
The minimum player salary will increase from $70,250 to $81,375 in 2020 and will go up to $109,200 by 2024. MLS will also increase investment in the salary budget, general allocation money and performance bonuses for players, raising the spending power per club every year, from $8,490,000 in 2019 to $11,643,000 in 2024.
Beginning in 2023 and 2024, players will receive an amount equal to 25 percent of the increased media revenue above the amount generated by the league in 2022 plus $100 million. The league’s current media rights partnerships expire at the end of 2022.
Also, the eligibility criteria for free agency has been expanded to include players who are 24 years or older and have five years of MLS service. Previously, players had to be 28 years old with eight years of service.
“As we prepare to celebrate our 25th season, we are very pleased to finalize a new five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with our players,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber. “This agreement addresses key strategic priorities for the league and our players while also retaining the basic player compensation structure that has been the foundation for the growth and stability of Major League Soccer. We had constructive, positive discussions with the leadership of the MLSPA and the players’ bargaining committee during the negotiations over the last few months and I would like to thank them for their collaboration in concluding an agreement that will serve as the foundation for a new era of partnership with our players.”
This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 11:06 AM.