Real Salt Lake Supporters Issue Statement Surrounding Ongoing CBA Negotiations

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake fans have expressed their support of the Major League Soccer Players Association during the ongoing negotiations between the league as it relates to the collective bargaining agreement.

#letthemplay2021 #daleRSL #RSL pic.twitter.com/5gAiN8T47Z

— The Riot (@OfficialRSLriot) February 3, 2021

The two sides have been going back and forth trying to come to an agreement on a CBA. The league lost an estimated $1 billion as a result of the global pandemic following the 2020 season and has expressed concern surrounding the status of the league moving forward.

Last year, players agreed to receive 95 percent of their paychecks. In 2021, the players will go back to being compensated 100 percent of their salary. However, the two parties cannot come to an agreement on the length of the CBA. The PA is wanting the CBA to run through the 2026 calendar year, but the league is asking for an additional year.

“Though the pandemic has prevented us from supporting the players in person, we have always had their backs,” The Riot statement reads. “The 2020 season was different, but for ninety minutes we were able to figuratively come together to cheer on our team.”

The last statement the league issued suggested that “if we are unable to finalize a new CBA by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 4, the MLS Labor Committee has voted unanimously to authorize the league to terminate the CBA and institute a lockout.”