PHOENIX – Uncertainty surrounds Phoenix Rising FC’s season opener in San Antonio Saturday as the USL Championship and USL Players Association continue to haggle over a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Although the league’s regular season is set to begin Friday, 90% of the USL player pool voted a week ago to strike if an agreement could not be reached.
The USLPA has fought with the league and its owners over a new CBA since 2024. The players association’s primary demands include 12-month guaranteed contracts, higher minimum compensation ($43,000 per year), improved health insurance and better professional standards.
As the start of the season looms, teams are proceeding as if it will be played while participants continue to work toward a new CBA. Despite the threat of a work stoppage, Phoenix Rising are still planning to travel to San Antonio FC to kick off their season.
“There are a lot of talks behind the scenes; we are involved but not involved,” Rising FC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky said in a press conference Tuesday. “There is not much we can do about it. If the call comes then, we will decide what to do but right now we are just focused on playing.”
The USL is planning on restructuring the league formats in 2028, mimicking the European Pyramid model. The new USL Premier will be the top division while the Championship will become Division 2, with League One becoming the third division.
With big plans to rival Major League Soccer, the new CBA is pivotal for the USL to establish itself as the top soccer league in the United States.
With a new top division forming, the players association says it was left in the dark and has concerns about how this league will impact the CBA. The USLPA stated in a press release that the league did not provide concrete answers about the divisions and its plans. Reports suggest that it includes a $55,000 minimum salary in 2028, which would then increase to $60,000 in 2029. However, there is no inclusion of housing and includes six sub-minimum contracts per team at $33,000, which is the same level the USL Championship will have in 2026.
Tensions between the USLPA and the USL have been rising due to several issues. Players are asking for housing, better facilities and health care. The league has agreed to 12-month contracts, however the USLPA is looking to fix buyout issues. The league proposed three buyouts of a player’s contract over a two-year period. The league would pay 75% of the contract in the first year and 50% for the remainder of the contract. These would only apply to their base salary and not include housing or health care. By comparison, MLS pays 100% of its player’s contract.
The USLPA has stated it is looking for housing to be a guaranteed 100-square-feet of livable space and no more than two players to one bathroom. The union also wants teams to provide post-training meals and wants club facilities to include an adequate gym.
The USLPA rejected the proposed CBA with the majority wanting clubs to provide healthcare for players instead of leaving it up to each club to decide what they provide.USL players have not hidden their displeasure with the USL. (Photo courtesy of USLPA)
“Around 90% of the player pool participated in a vote on the league’s latest proposal,” the USLPA statement read. “Approximately 90% of the players rejected it and authorized the player-led bargaining committee to take all necessary steps, including calling for a strike if required, should negotiations fail to produce a satisfactory agreement.”
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