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Jeff Carlisle
During negotiations regarding a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the USL Players Association, the USL has suggested a range of minimum wages for the Division I league scheduled to commence in 2028, sources informed ESPN.
This year, the USL revealed plans to implement a promotion/relegation system, alongside launching a new Division I league that will be positioned above the existing league framework currently made up of the USL-Championship, USL League One, and USL League Two.
The two parties are currently in discussions regarding a new CBA for players in the USL Championship, the premier level within the USL. As part of this dialogue, the USL made a proposal regarding the expected minimum salaries in the proposed Division I league to frame their proposal for minimum salaries in the USL-Championship.
Sources familiar with the CBA discussions, who requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak on the matter publicly, stated that the USL is proposing a base annual salary of $55,000 at the Division I level in 2028, rising to $60,000 in 2029, $65,000 in 2030, and $70,000 in 2031. These figures represent only salaries. Other compensation forms like health insurance, housing allowances, and offseason pay are still under negotiation, the sources noted.
Both the USLPA and the USL opted not to provide comments.
The USLPA and the league have participated in over two dozen bargaining sessions since August 1, 2024, aiming to address significant concerns. These issues include requiring clubs to provide healthcare to players, enhancing working conditions, and boosting overall pay.
Recently, players have intensified their efforts to communicate their concerns. Prior to the USL-Championship title match on November 22, players from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Tulsa entered the field wearing t-shirts that read, «Pro Rel? Try Pro Standards First.»
Regarding minimum pay in the USL-Championship, a source informed that the league is presently offering minimum wages «below $40,000» per year, with exemptions that could allow salaries to fall beneath the $30,000 threshold.
Per the existing CBA, the lowest salary in the current USL-Championship CBA for 2025 is $2,600 monthly, but these contracts are effective for only 10 months, encompassing salary, bonuses, any housing allowance, and health insurance payments (if the club provides them). In essence, the combined compensation from these four areas cannot exceed $2,600 per month for players on the league minimum.
For comparison, the minimum compensation in MLS for 2027, the final year of the current CBA, is $97,970 for reserve players and $125,875 for senior players. These agreements last throughout the year, with players receiving additional benefits such as health insurance above their salaries.
According to the current NWSL CBA, the minimum yearly salary for 2028 is $67,000, not factoring in a Cost of Living Allowance that varies based on the player’s location. Players also receive other benefits, including health insurance and life insurance.
