MLS seeks 20 percent player pay cuts. Here’s what Inter Miami’s Luis Robles says
Monday was Luis Robles’ birthday, and though the Inter Miami captain and goalkeeper was home with his wife and three children, he did not get to spend the whole day celebrating.
As an executive board member of the Major League Soccer Players Association, he was on endless phone calls and Zoom meetings as the league considers reopening and salary cuts.
MLS on Friday submitted to the MLSPA a proposal requesting, among other things, 20 percent across-the-board pay cuts to help mitigate economic losses due to the COVID-19-driven league suspension. ESPN first reported the news. Robles spent all weekend discussing the proposal with players across the league.
As one of seven executive board members, he is assigned to be a liaison to Inter Miami, his former team the New York Red Bulls, New York City FC and the San Jose Earthquakes.
“I can’t share any details about the proposal because it’s an ongoing, very comprehensive discussion, but the one thing I can say is that nothing is simple,” Robles said. “It’s a big challenge because you have over 700 perspectives to consider and I want to hear as many of them as possible.
He said it is “a tall order” to discuss pay reductions because of the wide range of salaries in the league. The minimum salary in 2019 was $70,259 while Los Angeles Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the highest paid at $7.2 million.
“Any time you talk about a reduction in pay that changes someone’s life, whether it’s their situation with rent and expenses or family to take care of or how they plan for the future,” he said. “When there’s a reduction, you have to impinge on how you plan for the future, but if the reduction is so great then it could have a big effect on your day-to-day now.
MLS economics ‘complicated’
“We have a huge range of salaries, so 20 percent affects guys very differently. Some guys are single, some have six kids. You consider guys in different markets where it costs more to live than other areas of the country where it doesn’t cost so much. The economics are complicated.”
Robles, who was elected to the players’ union board in 2016, said the current situation has consumed him.
“There have been moments for me, personally, when I think, `Man, it would be easier to disengage and let someone else do it,’ yet, I realize that is one of the more selfish decisions I could make because when you think about the group, it needs guys to lead and give direction and hear out as many players as possible. It takes time away from my family and other things I want to do, but it’s the most important thing I can do right now.”
On Tuesday, Robles left training at 10:30 a.m. and spent the next three and a half hours taking calls from 14 players. He had a string of calls later in the afternoon.
“You spend hours on the phone hearing from players and sometimes they differ from you, sometimes they’re similar to you,” Robles said. “The more people are involved in the conversation, the better you’re able to get a sense of what direction the player pool is going and represent them in the best way possible.”
One of the concerns he hears is about long-range plans if the virus continues or returns.
“Right now, there isn’t a doomsday clause in our CBA,” Robles said. “What does future look like if this continues, or if it happens again? That is very, very difficult to navigate. It will require guys to be very creative and thoughtful.”
League executives have been in constant communication with the MLSPA since play was suspended March 12, two weeks into the season.
“Major League Soccer continues to engage in productive conversations with the MLSPA over ways in which we can collectively address challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said MLS President and Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott.
Orlando could be MLS restart site
Regarding a return to play, the league’s goal remains to play as many games as possible, and they are looking at pushing back MLS Cup into December or even later. They are exploring a variety of scenarios and formats to relaunch the season.
MLS commissioner Don Garber told ESPN television analyst Taylor Twellman last month that the league was considering a tournament format and neutral locations when the league returns, and that that games would likely be played without fans for a while.
Orlando is one of the cities that has been mentioned, as it has plenty of large hotels and multiple soccer fields, including the Orlando City facilities, University of Central Florida and 17 fields at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.
“Nothing will happen until we see what testing looks like because we have to really consider at the upmost level the health and safety of the players,” Robles said. “But at least it’s encouraging this past week to see some teams conducting individual training. We are definitely getting closer, hopefully, to getting back to play; but for that to happen, certain things have to occur. You look around at MLB, the NBA, the NHL, so many hurdles to overcome. We are all affected.”