Major League Soccer players and owners reached a tentative deal Friday night, agreeing to terms of a new collective bargaining agreement following several weeks of tense negotiations.
With the agreement, the two sides have avoided the first lockout in league history. The negotiations required two extensions — one spanning a week and one lasting 24 hours — after MLS Commissioner Don Garber set an initial deadline he said was needed to open preseason workouts on time.
The tentative deal still must be ratified by the league’s board of governors and the full Major League Soccer Players Association membership.