About the MLS Players Union

The Major League Soccer Players Union was formed in April 2003 to promote the best interests of all MLS Players. The founding members of the Players Union’s Executive Board included Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Chris Klein, Alexi Lalas and Ben Olsen.   The Players Union serves as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for all current players in Major League Soccer.   

After negotiating with MLS in 2003 and 2004, on December 1, 2004, the Players Union and MLS signed the first-ever collective bargaining agreement (CBA) covering MLS players.  The CBA runs through the 2009 season, and has provided significant new benefits for MLS players.  Prior to the CBA, the minimum salaries for players had never increased, players received no form of retirement benefits, and many players lacked basic health insurance.  Among other things, the CBA increased minimum salaries, established a 401(k) plan with guaranteed contributions from MLS, and guaranteed that all players and their families will be provided with 100% fully-paid health insurance benefits.  In addition, the CBA provides for an independent arbitrator to hear disputes between MLS and the players.   

MLS and the Players Union also negotiated a substance abuse policy covering all players in the league, as well as a Group License Agreement. Group licensing revenue allows the Players Union to keep the dues it charges to players at a level which is among the lowest in U.S. professional sports. 

The Players Union is a democratic organization run by and for players, and ultimate control over the Players Union rests with the players.  The players on each team vote by secret ballot to elect a Player Representative, and those Player Representatives elect a five-player Executive Board.  The Executive Board governs the Union and makes all major decisions.  The Executive Board hires the Player’s Union Executive Director, who runs the day-to-day operations of the Players Union, and its General Counsel, who provides legal advice to the Players Union.

Bob Foose serves as the Union’s Executive Director, and Jon Newman, a partner in the law firm of Sherman, Dunn, Cohen, Leifer & Yellig, P.C., in Washington D.C., is the Union’s General Counsel.