Before their match against Minnesota United on Sunday, Seattle Sounders players wore T-shirts emblazoned with “Club World Cup Ca$h Grab” as part of their demand for a portion of the prize money associated with the forthcoming international tournament. The Sounders are among 32 teams gearing up to compete in the Club World Cup scheduled for later this month.
The Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) has voiced support for the protest through a statement. They highlighted concerns regarding the increasing demands on players due to FIFA’s new tournament, emphasizing the lack of consideration for players’ physical wellness. The statement elaborated on how FIFA’s commitment to significant prize money was necessary to secure club and player participation. It was noted that this leads to a substantial financial advantage for Major League Soccer, yet the league has not allocated a fair portion of these earnings to the players.
Alongside Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami and LAFC are the other two MLS teams participating in the Club World Cup. This event, with an expanded lineup of club teams from across the world, is set to begin on June 14 and will span 11 cities within the United States. The Sounders stand to earn $9.55 million for their participation, with possibilities for more prizes contingent on additional victories.
The MLSPA mentioned that players have approached the league for discussions about bonus arrangements, but MLS has not presented a satisfactory proposal. As per the existing collective bargaining agreement, a cap restricts the amount of prize money allocated to players at $1 million.
While negotiations with the MLSPA are still underway, Major League Soccer refrained from commenting on the matter. The Sounders starters made a statement by posing before the game in the aforementioned T-shirts, displaying the message “Fair Share Now” on the back.
The statement from the MLSPA concluded with the assertion that the contribution of players is pivotal to the game and its elevation on a global platform. It emphasized that players anticipate being treated with fairness and respect in light of their integral role.