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USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Major League Soccer, players remain far apart in FIFA Club World Cup pay solution
Major League Soccer, players remain far apart in FIFA Club World Cup pay solution Show Caption Hide Caption Why Real Madrid is heavy favorite to win FIFA Club World Cup Safid Deen and Seth Vertelney explain why Real Madrid look like a safe bet to hoist the FIFA Club World Cup trophy when all is said and done. Sports Seriously Major League Soccer and its Players' Association continue to iron out how much money players from Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, the Seattle Sounders, and Los Angeles FC will earn from participating in the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins Saturday. The most recent proposal MLS sent to the players' association includes $1 million from the $9.55 million MLS clubs receive just for participating, including 20% of all performance bonuses, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. MLS sent its most recent proposal to the players' association last Friday. While the Players' Association did not exchange a formal proposal, it floated a counter of $4 million of the $9.55 million participation fee and 35-40% of all performance bonuses, the person said. The $1 million is a figure already promised to players as part of the league's collective bargaining agreement. FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP: Bracket, schedule, groups for 2025 tournament The MLSPA released a statement Sunday, which stated 'the league did not add a single dollar for players' in its proposal, adding the 20 percent in performance compensation offered is 'below the international standard.' 'MLS does not respect or value players' efforts with regard to this tournament. … The players remain united in using their collective voice and demanding a fair share of the rewards earned from their hard work,' the MLSPA statement added. Along with participation fees, Club World Cup teams will earn $1 million for draws or $2 million for wins during the group stage with more money in advancing rounds. Clubs in the round of 16 will earn $7.5 million, quarterfinalists earn $13.125 million and semifinalists earn $21 million. The runner-up will earn $30 million, while the winner will make $40 million. MLS players would split $200,000 for draws or $400,000 for wins during the group stage, $1.5 million for reaching the round of 16, $2.625 million for reaching the quarterfinal, $4.2 million for being a semifinalist, $6 million for being the runner-up and $8 million for winning the tournament, based on the proposal. If Inter Miami, Seattle or LAFC win the Club World Cup, the players would split $23.925 million of the $124,175 million the winner would net based on the recent proposal, in addition to their participation compensation. MLS is unsure whether a final decision could be reached before, during or even after the tournament, the person added. LAFC also received an additional $250,000 bonus in general allocation money for getting into the Club World Cup after beating LIGA MX powerhouse Club America during a play-in match on May 31. LAFC will also receive $750,000 in general allocation money – like Inter Miami and Seattle have already received and spent – from the $9.55 million participation fee. The GAM is intended for the clubs to sign or retain players. TICKETS: Here are the cheapest seats for the FIFA Club World Cup MLS spoke to at least a dozen teams in the tournament field to gather information on how they were paying players for participating and learned some were only paying players if the club reached the quarterfinals or later. They also learned Real Madrid will pay its players $1 million each only if they win the Club World Cup, according to the person. It's been a week since Seattle Sounders players wore t-shirts with the phrases 'Club World Ca$h Grab' and 'Fair Share Now' in protest before a home match last Sunday. The MLSPA also released a statement seeking a fair share of the financial windfall MLS will receive from FIFA for participating in the tournament. Messi and Inter Miami will play in the Club World Cup opener against Egyptian club Al Alhy on June 14 in Miami. Inter Miami will also play FC Porto (Portugal) on June 19 in Atlanta and SE Palmeiras (Brazil) in Miami on June 23 in the group stage. The Sounders will face Botafogo (Brazil) on June 15, Atletico Madrid (Spain) on June 19, then Paris Saint-Germain (France) on June 23 during the group stage, hosting all three matches at home in Lumen Field in Seattle. LAFC will face Chelsea (England) in Atlanta on June 16, Espérance (Tunisia) in Nashville on June 20 and CR Flamengo (Brazil) in Orlando on June 24 during the group stage.
NBC Sports
5 days ago
- Business
- NBC Sports
Gary Bettman says NHL-NHLPA talks on a new CBA are ‘in really good shape'
EDMONTON, Alberta — Negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement are progressing well, though there is no timeline on reaching a deal, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said Wednesday. Bettman, at his annual state of the league address prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, said the sides are 'having very constructive, professional, cordial dialogue.' Talks did not begin until April, and there is still quite some time until the current CBA expires in September 2026. 'I don't have an announcement to make today that we have a deal, but we have more than a year to go and I think we're in really good shape, having really good discussions,' Bettman said. 'That's a testament to Marty Walsh and Ron Hainsey and people at the Players' Association who have been working tirelessly with us.' Walsh said the league and union were having good ongoing conversations, adding there are not major issues on the table to quibble over. 'It's moving steady, it's moving forward and I feel good with where we are and we'll see what happens,' Walsh said. 'It gets complicated at certain times, any collective bargaining agreement, but it's not where it was in the past here where you're seeing national disputes between organized labor and companies.' Hainsey, the NHLPA's assistant executive director, expects the constant meetings to continue during the final in Edmonton and South Florida. 'We're all in the same place at the same time,' Hainsey said. 'There are multiple days in between these games where we can find something for ourselves to do.' No Russians in Olympics Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league does not expect Russian players to participate in the Olympics next year. That would be status quo for the International Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation, which has banned Russian teams since that country's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Walsh said players he has spoken to are disappointed not to be able to participate in Milan, the first Olympics with NHL participation since 2014. 'It's out of their control, and there's not much they can do,' Walsh said. 'There's not much they can do with what's happening in Ukraine and Russia, and they want to play best on best. We hear it all the time. They want to play best on best and we were hoping that by this point in time, the conflict or the war would not be where it is.' Expansion? Daly said the league is not engaging in a formal expansion process to go beyond 32 teams, but officials are listening to potential ownership groups about any proposals. 'If somebody wants to essentially apply for an expansion franchise and has all the requisite elements that we would look for in an expansion franchise, we would raise it with the Board of Governors and see if they have any interest in it,' Daly said. 'There are some people we've talked to more than others, but there's a lot of interest, which I think we're gratified with.'
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Gary Bettman says NHL-NHLPA talks on a new CBA are 'in really good shape'
EDMONTON, Alberta — Negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement are progressing well, though there is no timeline on reaching a deal, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said Wednesday. Bettman, at his annual state of the league address prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, said the sides are 'having very constructive, professional, cordial dialogue.' Talks did not begin until April, and there is still quite some time until the current CBA expires in September 2026. 'I don't have an announcement to make today that we have a deal, but we have more than a year to go and I think we're in really good shape, having really good discussions,' Bettman said. 'That's a testament to Marty Walsh and Ron Hainsey and people at the Players' Association who have been working tirelessly with us.' Walsh said the league and union were having good ongoing conversations, adding there are not major issues on the table to quibble over. 'It's moving steady, it's moving forward and I feel good with where we are and we'll see what happens,' Walsh said. "It gets complicated at certain times, any collective bargaining agreement, but it's not where it was in the past here where you're seeing national disputes between organized labor and companies.' Hainsey, the NHLPA's assistant executive director, expects the constant meetings to continue during the final in Edmonton and South Florida. 'We're all in the same place at the same time,' Hainsey said. "There are multiple days in between these games where we can find something for ourselves to do.' Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league does not expect Russian players to participate in the Olympics next year. That would be status quo for the International Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation, which has banned Russian teams since that country's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Walsh said players he has spoken to are disappointed not to be able to participate in Milan, the first Olympics with NHL participation since 2014. 'It's out of their control, and there's not much they can do,' Walsh said. "There's not much they can do with what's happening in Ukraine and Russia, and they want to play best on best. We hear it all the time. They want to play best on best and we were hoping that by this point in time, the conflict or the war would not be where it is.' Daly said the league is not engaging in a formal expansion process to go beyond 32 teams, but officials are listening to potential ownership groups about any proposals. 'If somebody wants to essentially apply for an expansion franchise and has all the requisite elements that we would look for in an expansion franchise, we would raise it with the Board of Governors and see if they have any interest in it,' Daly said. "There are some people we've talked to more than others, but there's a lot of interest, which I think we're gratified with.' NHL playoffs: /hub/stanley-cup and /hub/nhl
7NEWS
06-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Nick Riewoldt accuses players of baffling stance on AFL illicit drugs policy: ‘Might save lives'
The AFL's attempt to remodel its outdated illicit drugs policy continues to drag on, and questions are being asked about the AFL Players' Association role in the protracted negotiations. It was thought by many in the industry that a deal would have been struck by now and the policy would have been released, but the two parties are still struggling to agree on all the details. Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson said on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters that the 'AFL had lost a lot of bargaining power' after Sport Integrity Australia was handed 51 names of players to target test during the 2024 season. 'It's extraordinary that we're still talking about this. About six weeks ago, I said the AFL and the players were close to a deal but 14 or 15 months after it was put back on the agenda, still no deal,' Wilson said. 'The AFL Commission are getting impatient because (outgoing CEO) Paul Marsh leaves the Players' Association in the coming weeks, and they want to deal before Paul Marsh is gone.' Wilson also revealed that there will be no $5,000 fines in the first instance which the AFL had been pushing for in February, and the circle of players to be tested would not be significantly widened. 'Frankly, it's a bit of a mess,' Wilson said on The Agenda Setters. 'Not all the players are aligned in wanting a slightly softer welfare based policy, but Paul Marsh is ruling the roost ... so those who are vehemently anti drugs I don't think are being heard.' AFL legend and Agenda Setters panelist Nick Riewoldt said he couldn't understand why some players and the Players' Association were pushing back on changes to the policy. 'It is a shocking look for the players. This reeks right now,' Riewoldt said on The Agenda Setters. 'If the players are pushing back against a tougher drug code, this code is so old, society has moved so fast since this code was introduced. 'It is such a bad look for the players because it reeks of, 'Leave us alone, we want to take drugs'. That is what it looks like.' Kane Cornes said he was sick of the players' arguments against a stronger policy. 'Just don't do it and your reputation will be ruined by not participating in this program,' Cornes said. Riewoldt said it was also a safety issue. 'Why wouldn't the AFLPA be strong on this and say, 'Hey players, we're here to represent you and represent your interests. This is in your interest,' because, you know, we're not just talking about something illegal, we're talking about something dangerous,' Riewoldt said. 'The fentanyl epidemic. That's a real thing like. This (policy) might actually save lives, so I can't understand why the players would be pushing back against a tighter code.' Riewoldt doubled down on the comments on radio. 'It is time for a refresh, but the players are pushing back. Or at least the majority of players - it's being reported - are pushing back on a tighter code,' he said on Triple M's Mick in the Morning. 'The AFL leaked the target testing names to the drug-testing authorities – of players. So, the AFLPA and the players are pushing back on the AFL, saying, 'We don't want a tighter code because we don't trust you.' 'I think this is where the AFLPA need to be stronger; a stricter, tighter drug code for the players has to be a good thing, doesn't it?'
Boston Globe
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Commissioner Gary Bettman says the NHL, NHLPA will begin CBA talks in early April
Advertisement 'I don't think on either side we're looking at fundamental issues,' Bettman said. 'I'm anticipating, based on everything I'm hearing from Marty, that we'll have good discussions. And I'm hoping we can do this quickly, quietly, and painlessly.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Last month in Montreal at the 4 Nations Face-Off, an international tournament that showcased the NHL and NHLPA putting on an event together, Walsh pointed to hockey's immense growth as a reason for excitement. 'A lot of great things are happening,' Walsh said. 'There's a lot of good momentum here. The last thing you want to do is ruin the momentum.' Related : Several weeks free of the 4 Nations glow and with the start of the playoffs and the chase for the Stanley Cup a month away from beginning, the sport's leading stakeholders are getting ready to get down to business. 'The Players' Association was doing their tour and meeting with all the clubs, but casually I think we both have the sense that we should be on the same page or close to it in terms of the things we're focused on,' Bettman said. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said he had a list tens of pages long of suggestions and ideas from GMs and other team and league staff and doesn't know how negotiations will go until he, Bettman, and the league speak with Walsh, assistant Ron Hainsey, and the PA to go through the issues. Advertisement 'There's a lot of things that people want,' Daly said. 'The question is what we're prepared to do, what they're prepared to do, and how we want to move forward. And until we sit down, there's really no way for me to handicap that.' Related : While the league office has no appetite for adding more teams to the playoffs, one topic that could come up is expanding the regular season from 82 to 84 games and cutting down on exhibition play. 'Whether or not we want to change the preseason and the number of games in the regular season is something that we would have to discuss with the Players' Association,' Bettman said, cautioning against speculation. 'It's something that we should be discussing with the Players' Association and a shorter preseason, and it's something that we should discuss. But we need to take each other's temperature and decide if it's the right thing.' One situation out of their control, but very important to a cross-border league with 25 franchises in the US and seven in Canada, is the ongoing trade and tariff war between the countries that threatens to upend economic climates in North America and around the world. 'If the Canadian economy is impacted to the extent that the dollar declines, the Canadian dollar, vis-à-vis the US dollar, we do everything in US dollars, so that'll have an impact potentially on our Canadian clubs and [hockey-related revenue],' Bettman said. 'But we're hoping this is a moment in time and we get through this. I'm not weighing in politically.' The league and union have already Advertisement 'If we have to make an adjustment, we will,' Bettman said. 'Our hope and our expectation is we're still on track.'
