Why Now Is A perfect Time For MLS To Allow More Charter Flights

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Major League Soccer is celebrating its 25th anniversary, despite having to deal with the reality that nobody knows if the 2020 season will return.

Counting down the minutes until @realsaltlake reveal their 2020 kit…😍. At 6:30pm MT be sure to check https://t.co/212sFFrg8J for photos and a description on the prized kit! pic.twitter.com/AWgps9clAI

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 5, 2020

Throughout the 25 years that they have been in business, the league has eclipsed many milestones. Whether it was luring world-renowned players across the pond, or gaining a more world-wide following due to the impressive standard of soccer that is being played, the league has grown in leaps and bounds since its arrival in 1995.

However, by no means is MLS a perfect league. It still has its issues.

One of the biggest problems facing the league is that teams are still limited on how many charter flights they are allowed to take for away matches.

Previously, under the former Collective Bargaining Agreement that expired following the conclusion of the 2019 season, teams were limited to only four legs. Under the new CBA, teams can now utilize charter flights on eight legs, furthermore, that number will increase and by 2024 it is expected that teams will charter for every away fixture.

Yessss to charter flights this year! ✈️ @MLS 😊 @SportingKC pic.twitter.com/PNVzFst7Cg

— Dom Dwyer (@Ddwyer14) February 25, 2015

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the idea that the world will never fully recover from the crisis, it seems as though now is a good time to fix this issue and not wait until 2024 to best secure the health and safety of its employees.

MLS teams should be allowed to charter for every away fixture starting as soon as the league announces that matches will return.

MLS is eager to get back up and running, much like every sporting league in the world is, they are losing millions of dollars and have had to furlough and lay off a number of important staff members. Hence, if they truly cared for the health and well-being of their employees, they would act accordingly and do everything they can to ensure the safety of everyone.

Tom Hackett is a Utah and Real Salt Lake Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast (Utah Football themed) and The Lion’s Den Podcast (Real Salt Lake themed). Follow him on Twitter: @TomCantHackett.