For the first time in two seasons, the MLS Player’s Association released the salary guide for its players.
Normally a bi-yearly occurrence, the 2020 salary guide was not released last year. Initially pushed back over the collective bargaining agreement negotiations, the ongoing worldwide pandemic further delayed its release as the season was temporarily suspended in March 2020.
Because the initial CBA was never ratified, during the pause, MLS went back to the MLSPA and demanded concessions, which included an across-the-board pay cut, among other things. The league was able to complete the 2020 season, at which point MLS invoked a Force Majeure clause and forced a third acrimonious negotiation last winter.