Report: MLS 'cautiously optimistic' on avoiding a lockout

According to reports, Major League Soccer and its players are close to avoiding a work stoppage for 2020. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Report: MLS owners, MLSPA 'cautiously optimistic' on avoiding a lockout

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/2/20

Major League Soccer fans hoping to see a return to action and a tournament held in Orlando, Fla., involving the 26 clubs can breathe a little easier as of June 2.

On Monday, Jeff Carlisle of ESPN and The Athletic's Paul Tenorio touched upon how MLS owners could lock out the MLS Players Association as quickly as Tuesday after the two sides hit a standstill on return-to-play negotiations regarding issues such as pay reductions, shares in revenue linked to a broadcast deal, and a potential force majeure clause added to the collective bargaining agreement.

Tuesday morning, however, former player and current ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman and Carlisle both reported the two sides are close to avoiding a work stoppage:

While things were very intense over the last few days, there has been a major breakthrough between the @MLSPA and @MLS league office. “Cautiously optimistic” as 1 more detail is being discussed and pending the new agreement/CBA being ratified, a lockout should be avoided.
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) June 2, 2020

Multiple sources tell me that #MLS owners have backed down on having force majeure tied to attendance. Will now look like NBA version. That is a major obstacle overcome. #MLSPA https://t.co/0ZcMkuuKOZ
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) June 2, 2020

According to Carlisle, the proposed force majeure clause originally offered by MLS owners allowed them to void the CBA if five or more clubs suffer attendance drops of at least 25 percent compared to the previous season.

It now sounds like the clause won't be linked with attendance figures.

The players are expected to vote on the latest league proposal by end of the day on Wednesday.

With states reopening despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis, there were hopes a tournament that could keep MLS clubs in Florida for 6-8 weeks could precede teams returning to their home venues to play standard matches without fans, such as what has occurred in Germany since the resumption of the Bundesliga campaign.

Until owners and players put pen to paper on an agreement for a pandemic-altered season, most on the outside looking in are left guessing as to how an MLS Cup champion will be crowned for 2020.

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