Details of CBA Agreement Disclosed by MLS and Commissioner Garber

Don Garber held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon which was open to the public through MLS.net. Garber fielded questions about the collective bargaining agreement between the players and MLS. He also was asked a few other questions off topic and the MLS chief became quite animated at one point when talking about the DC city officials and the lack of support they have shown to MLS and DC United in building a permanent home for one of the marquee teams in the league.

“I am tired of going down (to Washington) for meetings and getting back-slapped and faux press conferences with mayors and local city officials to have them back-track because they can’t get out of their own way,” said Garber. “Quite frankly, it is frustrating, and at some point, we are going to have to do something about it.”

Garber also spoke of flying to Vancouver for Thursday’s kick-off  for their 1-year celebration until they join MLS and continuing talks with Montreal as the next MLS expansion team.

Garber also said there were changes coming for the Designated Player rule that could be announced as early as next week. He declined to elaborate.

The CBA details were outline at MLS.net:

GUARANTEED CONTRACTS: The CBA provides for guaranteed contracts for all players who are at least 24 years old with three years of MLS service. The majority of the players in the League will have guaranteed contracts each season.

SALARY BUDGET: An increase of the salary budget from $2.315 million per club in 2009 to $2.55 million in 2010 (10.15%) and an increase of 5% per year thereafter.

An increase of the minimum salary for senior roster players from $34,000 in 2009 to $40,000 in 2010 (17.64%) and an increase of 5% per year thereafter.

PLAYER MOVEMENT: While there will be no bidding by MLS clubs against each other for out-of-contract players, the League will establish a “re-entry draft” for players who are out of contract. Although the specific parameters of that draft are being finalized, it will address players in each of the following categories:

Option Not Exercised

A player who is at least 23 years old with three years of MLS service and whose option is not exercised will be placed in a re-entry draft and made available to all clubs at his option salary.

Contract Terminated

A player who is at least 22 years old with one year of MLS service and who is asked to take a pay cut after contract termination will be placed in a re-entry draft and made available to all clubs at his current salary.

Contract Expires

A player who is at least 30 years old with eight years of MLS service and whose contract has expired will be placed in a re-entry draft unless his team makes him a qualified offer that must be at least 105% of his last salary. If placed in the re-entry draft, the player will be made available to all clubs at a salary equal to 105% of his last salary.

A player who is at least 25 years of age with at least four years of MLS service whose contract has expired will be placed in a re-entry draft unless his team offers him a base salary of at least as much as the base salary paid to him in the last year of his contract. If placed in the re-entry draft, the player will be made available to all clubs at a salary equal to the salary in the final year of his contract.

PLAYER BENEFITS: The CBA includes a package of benefits that include increases in 401K contributions by the League, appearance fees, per diem when traveling and relocation expense reimbursement. Among the additional player benefits in the CBA are full health care benefits for every player and his family at no cost, 401(k) contributions and expanded insurance benefits.

BONUSES FOR WINS AND EXHIBITIONS: The CBA includes a package of bonuses for wins in MLS games and international tournaments as well as appearance fees for international exhibitions.

GROUP LICENSE: The League and Players Union reached agreement on an extension of the Group License that will run through 2015 (a year longer than the CBA).

* RESERVE DIVISION: MLS and the Players Union will establish a joint committee to study the re-launch of a Reserve Division. In the event the rosters are expanded, the salary for those players will be a minimum of $31,250 with additional annual increases.

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There is also an interesting article at Goal.com by David Rice, who outlines the differences between MLS and their CBA and they way the NASL and Division II Pro Soccer operates. It’s a good read and worth the time if you’re not sure of the differences.